Chapter Nine
He had planned on waking on his own accord, to properly break his engagement with Malon. But, she had found him first.
Link had made a habit of sleeping in that spare lodge at the ranch lately, rather than staying at his usual residence at Kakariko Village, which had become common for him since he had left the Kokiri Forest. He knew for certain he would be returning to the small town after today, and seeing Malon's smiling face the moment he woke up didn't help relieve his conscious.
She pulled him out of bed, too excited to even notice he was fully- and sloppily -clothed, instead of being in his usual birthday suit. The boy had passed out when he returned that night- or rather, morning. He had barely gotten any sleep when Malon burst into the room, jumped onto the bed, and began shaking his shoulders violently.
"Link! Link, get up! I have a surprise for you!"
He had awoken with a startle, his eyes heavy and dazed, his hair a blonde chaos atop his head. At her sudden entry, he sat up briskly, losing his breath for a moment, trying to focus on the image of the girl before him.
Before he could even speak, she dragged him out of bed.
She was quite perky, a little too zealous over something, and a sudden adrenaline had captured her, as she yanked the young man away from the comfortable mattress, a firm hold on his wrist while she led him outside. His eyes squinted from the luminosity of the sunlight.
"Come on, come on! I don't want you to miss it!"
His environment seemed to be spinning as she tugged him along, and the only thing he could focus on was the vibrancy of her smile. A gust of wind had blown in their direction, causing her hair and dress to move against the wind.
"Malon, wait, I have to- Where are we going-"
He had wanted to ask her many questions, but she didn't give him the chance to speak, immediately getting a horse and saddling the mammal. Before he had even a chance to process anything, they had left, Malon leading the animal rather exuberantly, as Link had to hold onto her waist securely to keep from falling off.
He was so dreadfully tired, and even more nervous. And her giggles as she hurriedly rode the horse did not ease his anxiety, and when she had abruptly ceased, he discovered themselves at the Lost Woods.
Yet, Malon had covered his eyes immediately after they dismounted the horse, leading him aimlessly now, until she had him seated on what felt to him to be a log. A discomfort consumed him, his body tensing and back unnaturally straight.
"Malon, I really must speak to you..."
"Darling, you can tell me later. I need to show you something first."
Her affection towards him only worried him more, as did the gentle sound of her harmonious voice. Guilt welled within his chest at the enjoyment of her tiny hands over his eyes, as well as the pleasant subtle smell of her body, which was unlike the thick, cologned aroma of the princess.
"Malon, what is this?"
Link lingered for her to allow his vision to return, but she only giggled girlishly in response, tickling the tip of his nose with her pinky. "You'll see, just wait one more second."
Sighing, he did as he was told, though a faint noise had caught his attention.
"Is that...children I hear?"
"Shhh! You must wait for the surprise."
And almost a moment after she spoke, she at last released her palms from his face. It took him a second to adjust to the sudden color and depth that hit his eyes, yet when he beheld her secret, his lips parted in bewilderment.
"What...is this?"
For a while, Link had ceased to blink, as he just stared mindlessly before him. With a broad grin, Malon delightedly sat on the grasses beside him, leaning her cheek against his shoulder.
"Link, I present to you, the young theater of Hyrule, presenting a play that I have written myself."
She was right. These actors were young. Not one soul who stood gleefully before him was older than the age of seven years. They stood there quietly, yet their tiny faces contained vivid smiles, while they were garbed in costume, with attire that appeared eerily too familiar too him.
Especially since one of the young lads was wearing a tunic very similar to his.
"We of Hyrule would like to present this drama on behalf of Malon to her betrothed, Link," began a young blonde girl, adorned in jewelry and a dress, "entitled The Hero of Time."
Looking down at the suddenly silent girl leaning on him, Link rose a peculiar brow. However, the young maiden remained still, nestled her palm and cheek against his lap, a smile curving her lips. And so, with a sigh, Link crossed his eyes over his chest, and began to watch the performance.
"Once upon a time, there lived a young boy named Link, who lived in the Kokiri Forest. He had always wanted a fairy, but never received one."
As the young male narrator spoke, little Link made his debut, standing center stage glumly, his head slumped and shoulders slouched in such a manner that made Link chuckle.
"Yet, he did not know that the Deku Tree had sent a fairy to him, and that he was going to begin a great adventure!"
Out of nowhere, a tiny little toddler girl came running out to the little Link, in a short sparkly dress that glittered a blinding pink, with large wings attached to her. A venetian mask was tied to her face, and as she flew, she made a sweet buzzing sound, bumping into the boy harshly.
Link grinned, rubbing at his nose, his body finally relaxing.
"Hi Link! I'm Navi, your new fairy! We have to go on a big adventure to save Hyrule! Come with me!"
At the young girl's remark and vivid hand gestures, little Link beamed. "Okay!"
"And so, Link and Navi went to see the Great Deku Tree, who told Link the truth about who he really was."
And by the grace of the goddesses, a child was dressed in a tree-resembling costume.
"Link, I'm the Great Deku Tree, and I need you to free this curse an evil man put on me," said the little tree boy, purposely forcing a husky tone to his voice.
"Inside the Deku Tree they went, defeating the evil monster and breaking the curse!"
Suddenly, little Link drew out a counterfeit, wooden sword, holding it up proudly. Instantly, Link shot out a laugh at the sight, tears burning his eyes.
The child in green bowed before the tree child.
"Great Deku Tree, I have freed you from this curse!"
"Good job, Link! Now, I must tell you about your journey. There is an evil man named Ganondorf who put this curse on me, and he is trying to get the Triforce! He wants this stone that I have. You must go see Princess Zelda, and she will help you!"
Oddly, at even the mention of her name, Link flinched, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable once more. Yet, as he continued to watch the amusing drama presented to him, he carefully forced the foreboding anxiousness to leave him for a short while. There was a tremendous, genuine smile on his face as he watched the reenactment of his greatest feat, chuckling and laughing heartily as well.
Everything- from his meeting with Zelda, to the gathering of the stones, to pulling out the Master Sword. He almost bowled over from hysteria the moment he saw the child dressed as Ganondorf. The whole thing was too precious.
A tear had come to his eyes when the ending neared.
Little Link had just put back the Master Sword (sticking the slightly larger wooden blade into the dirt), and returned to his younger years (the false mustache was removed). At that point, little pink Navi approached him, and said nothing, but simply hugged the little boy tenderly before walking away slowly, pretending to fly. To him, it was the sweetest, most heart-wrenching scene. And it also marked the end of the performance.
As the children formed in a line and bowed before the small audience, Link immediately began to clap zealously, Malon lifted her head off of him to clap as well, a sweet, open mouthed smile to her lips.
"Alright young actors, now remember what I told you to do at the end!"
At Malon's words, and to Link's startlement, the children ran frantically towards the older man, tackling him fiercely with mighty hugs and embraces. And, almost as if it were perfectly planned, two little girls kissed each of his cheeks.
One who played Malon. The other Zelda.
It made him shudder inwardly.
He grinned, however, chuckling merrily as he hugged the tiny actors in return, sneaking a glance to Malon, whose gleeful smile never left her face.
How in the name of the goddesses was he supposed to tell her now?
"I must say, I especially enjoyed the part where the girl portraying Ruto tried to kiss the little version of me."
Malon giggled delightedly, sitting beside him calmly, while she fiddled with the grasses beneath her. The children had gone now, and the two young Hylians sat alone, reflecting on the intriguing drama, Malon leaning her head comfortably against Link's sturdy shoulder.
"So I take it you enjoyed the performance."
Link grinned, his back against the trunk of a tree, stretching his neck. "It was spectacular!" he beamed. And, slowly, he shifted his endless gaze to look down at the young woman next to him. Feeling his stare, she lifted her face, looking directly into the depth of his eyes.
"How did..." He paused, thinking for a moment. "How did you remember everything? To have written a drama about it...I mean, even I have forgotten various details that I suddenly remembered while watching this."
At his inquiry, Malon smiled broadly, repositioning her derriere on the ground, so that she leaned more on her side now, glaring up at him longingly.
"I had soaked in every word you had told me. I had always thought your tale was awe-inspiring. The most epic, grandest exploit I had ever heard. I've been planning this for a while now, during the times I'd go to the market place."
Her voice was rather soft, yet contained a level of zeal that bewildered him. Clearing his throat nervously, he forced himself to look away from her.
"Many I've told do not believe it. The King does, and that is why Ganondorf was arrested, thank the goddesses. But I recall very clearly Ingo's blunt reaction to the tale."
He carefully blew out a breath from his mouth, and was taken aback when Malon had cupped his chin, turning his face gently to look at her once more. There was a tenderness in her eyes, the way she gandered at him. She appeared so beautiful, delicate, natural. It was different, he noted, from the lush, extravagant, porcelain beauty of the princess. Not better, but different. And at the reoccurring thought of his lover, a pain developed at the pit of his gut.
Malon stroked his chin lightly with her petite thumb, her touch simultaneously soothing and aching him. Slowly, her lips curved into a gentle smile, her eyes glimmering, cheeks blushing.
"I believe it," she confided, slightly laughing. "And one day, there will be a legend about you. Both here, and there. Your story will be told, and you will be remembered. No one will ever forget the hero of Hyrule."
He knew he shouldn't have been moved by her words, shouldn't have allowed his face to move closer to hers. He knew he shouldn't have been touched by the play she wrote for him, how she had remembered every detail of the adventure he had told her, and even believed his account.
But, he did. He allowed everything to happen. Carefully, her lips touched his own, and they kissed quietly, gently. He had meant to pull away, to take back this action, and confess to her the previous night's events with the princess, and to break the engagement with her.
Yet, she had embraced his cheeks, bringing his face closer to hers, kissing him much more profoundly. And after a morning such as this, it was difficult for him to refuse her. No one had ever shown him such a layer of affection, and being around her with all those children, always greeted by Talon as a father, living peacefully at the ranch...he felt as if he belonged in a family now, and was not just a wandering fighter.
And last night, he had destroyed that bondage.
Hastily, he pulled away from her, the beating of his heart vehement within his chest.
Malon, with a pout, reacted instantly from his sudden departure, as she scooted herself closer to him, stroking his cheek with her thumb.
"Link, what is wrong? Did I do something to upset you?"
Keeping his gaze away from her, he shook his head repeatedly. "No, no. You did nothing wrong, but did everything perfect. I can't, I can't do this, Malon."
More confusion consumed her, her brows lifted in apprehension, her palm resting on his shoulder. "Please, tell me what's wrong. You're upsetting me."
And it was then when he turned to her, almost too suddenly, his cheeks blazing a dark, crimson red. His eyes gleamed with a depth she had never before seen in him, a sadness taking over his expression.
"Malon," he began carefully, "I am so sorry."
She blinked in complete bewilderment. "Why? What for?"
And with a deep breath, he answered her plea.
"I betrayed you...with the princess."
At first, she merely glared at him for a moment, her back hunched, speechless. Yet then, a nervous chuckle escaped her throat, her head shaking gently in disbelief. "I...I don't believe you." Yet, the quaver in her voice suggested otherwise.
A passion had overcome him at that moment, his position on the grasses shifting abruptly, as he had decided to address her on the subject directly, battling his fears.
"I slept with Princess Zelda," he confessed, watching the expression on her visage slowly evolve into sheer despair. "I betrayed you with her. And by the goddesses, Malon- I think I love her."
She shook her head as he spoke, attempting to cover her ears, but still hearing his words clearly, as they melted into her heart, causing a sharp pain to slice at her chest. Tears welled in her eyes, burning like acid, as she stood up abruptly, her body weak and slouched, pacing the area.
"No...no," she whispered loudly enough for him to hear, a terror taking over her. "How...how can you tell me this? What has possessed you to tell me this?"
Looking back at him, Link observed that the tears had fled from her eyes, and now fervently traveled down her cheeks, drenching her face. He bit down on his lip harshly, standing up with a stumble to go to the sobbing, heart broken girl.
"I know I am a monster, especially after everything you have done for me. But I realized last night how much I cared-"
She stopped him right there, but not with words, but an aggressive slap to his cheek. He embraced the red mark she left, his lips parting in startlement.
"You did this last night? You went to her last night?"
At her ferocious demand, he nodded slowly.
And instead of hitting him again, she began to wail more fiercely, burying her face in the palms of her small hands, sitting on a log as she was unable to support herself. He wanted to go beside her, try to explain himself, but knew that his words would not ease her, but make her feel worse.
"You spend all this time with me, yet you love another woman!" she cried obnoxiously, her voice thick and cracking while she wiped at her moist cheeks with her bare forearms.
"You are betrothed to me, practically live with me! I know everything about you, and now you decide you love the princess, after she has been absent from your life for nearly a year!"
At last she glared at him, her look filled with anger and intimidation, as she found the strength to raise herself sturdily, her fists clenched and eyes narrowed.
"I love you, Link," spoke the girl direly. "I love you and you damn well know it. I thought we could be happy together. I thought I showed you happiness!"
"I am an adventurer, Malon!" he argued back, a painful look in his eyes. "I...I cannot live a simple life at the ranch for the rest of my years. I need-"
"You moronic madman!"
Now she came to him, grasping his shoulders forcefully, pulling him down a bit to meet her gaze.
"I would have gone with you," she spoke, "anywhere."
Her last word had come out rather gentle, and with that, more tears flowed along her face. "Do you not think I know you are a hero? You are my hero. I would have followed you wherever you went. Goddesses shame me, I would have left the ranch for however long you'd leave. Or, I'd stay and wait for you. And I would love you nonetheless. I know you are an adventurer, and if this simple life of mine does not seem practical for you, and the tarnished bed of the princess does, then by all means go whimpering back to her, like the sick dog that you are."
Letting go of him, Malon took a step back, her chest rising and lowering wildly from her heavy, uncontrolled breaths. A deep grief had struck him, his palm placed at his heart, as he could feel the maddening pain at his chest begin to devour him.
"Goddesses, Malon...what have I done?"
"Damn you, Link!" yelled the girl, slamming her hand against the bark of a tree. At her harshness, several leaves came falling down gracefully. "Damn you in every way possible! How the sages could pick someone as cold-hearted as you to yield the Master Sword is a mystery to me. You lying, unfaithful, worthless-"
She hadn't had the chance to continue, as he cupped her face in the palm of his hand, and kissed her lips fervently.
He had caught her amid blink, and her eyes were immensely opened when he had plummeted his mouth to hers. Desperately she tried to pull away from him, a ferocious grunt stifled in her throat. Yet, however, she could no longer fight him, and she allowed herself to melt into the feverish lock between them, taking the back of his neck and pulling him closer to her.
They kissed with a passion never shared between them until now. She had parted her lips, given him access to her mouth, allowed his tongue to venture there within and dance with her own. His breath heated her, his lips smoothing, gliding, swerving sloppily against her own. Silence had taken over, except for the fierce, airy noise of their breaths and gasps, the smacking of their mouths, the stifled moans of the young woman.
An anger grew within her, as well as a terrible, desperate longing. And yet, she had grasped the cloth at the shoulders of his tunic, holding the fabric firmly, as she forcefully pushed him away from her.
Stumbling backwards, Link placed an exasperated palm at his forehead, his vision slightly blurred. He hadn't had a moment to concentrate, as Malon had immediately approached him, and sent another blinding smack to his face.
"Tell me you don't love her!"
He had never heard her sound so demanding, so ferocious. Tears stained her face once more, and he was surprised when she leapt at him, gripping the collar of his white shirt desperately.
"Tell me you don't love her! Tell me!"
And losing himself in the sorrow of her eyes, Link sighed deeply.
"I don't love her...Malon, I love you."
But his words only made her weep harder.
"Then why are you doing this to me?"
He didn't know how to answer her, at least directly. All he knew was that he could no longer stand seeing that pain scrunched in her face, and knowing he was the cause of it. He cared too deeply for her, more than he had realized. He thought he was so desperately in love with Zelda, but at that moment, he wasn't as certain.
He saw Malon before him, the girl he was betrothed to, the one he had betrayed. And now he saw what was the proper thing to do, as he took her hands in his, and squeezed them gently.
"I am a fool, Malon," he whispered to the trembling girl, staring at her with ample, wet eyes. "I was transfixed, mesmerized by the princess. I had immersed myself in lust for her, that I had forgotten who was really important to me. I hurt the one person I ever really loved, the girl who has been the only family I've ever known."
Quietly, her cries increased, her face wet and crunched, a sniffle to her nose. Link released his hand from hers, reaching out to stroke her cheek, drying several of her tears.
"Please tell me you'll still have me."
He saw a sense of anger return to her visage, her nose wrinkling at his request. A fire gleamed in her eyes, her nostrils flaring. With a firm hand, she clawed his palm away from her face, taking hold of his collar, and glaring at him intently.
"You love me? Then go pay a visit to the princess this afternoon to tell her that your sexual exploits have ceased with her." Deeply, she took a breath. "Then you will spend the rest of your married life making your unfaithfulness up to me. And so help me dear goddesses, you will make it up to me."
At her command, Link nodded slowly, with a pain tugging at his heart.
"Now swear your loyalty to me, on behalf of the Triforce, on your own life."
"I swear on my life, on the Triforce, my loyalty to you."
She scoffed at his pledge, walking away from him slowly, her back to him with hunched shoulders. There was a calmness to her now that frightened him, and when she spoke again, she dared not look at him.
"You hurt me, Link. You've betrayed me in such a way that...I don't know when I can trust you again." But, carefully, she turned her neck, looking back towards him with sorrow.
"Yet, I do love you. And I want to forgive you. Because I don't have many things I can call my own. But the princess, she does. She has so many."
No other words were exchanged between them after that. Simply, in silence, they went to the horse, leaving the Lost Woods, and returning to the ranch. The whole time, a feeling of foreboding plagued Link, as he knew that another dramatic episode was in store for him. Initially, he thought he had chosen Zelda, but now he knew that he needed Malon in his life, and she needed him.
Yet, as did Zelda.
He was trapped within this dangerous triangle, and now that he had made his choice to be with the princess- no, Malon- he needed to venture to the castle secretly and confess his choosing.
And as he rode Epona that afternoon, he repeatedly reminded himself all the reasons he had chosen the rancher's daughter over the princess, convincing himself that he had made the proper choice.
But how long until he would completely believe it?