Chapter 24

Peace Returning

When he awoke in the morning and stretched, Link found that all his muscles were stiff, and he ached slightly. He had become very used to his comfortable berth at Lon Lon Ranch, and the hard floor where he had slept had been a bit of a shock. Talon was still asleep, so Link went about making breakfast, then woke his friend and forced him to eat. Talon complained of a pounding headache and only wanted to go back to sleep, but he ate the food gladly.

Before midday, Link left him to begin to prepare for his return. The journey back to Lon Lon Ranch was a long one. He walked quickly, but the distance was deceptive on horseback and it took him much longer on foot. It was dusk when he arrived back at the ranch.

As he approached the house, footsore and weary, the door flew open. Link came to a halt, expecting to be met by Ingo and have to face the first consequences of what had happened. Instead, Malon emerged, and dashed towards him. She was flapping a letter in one hand and beaming. She threw herself at him, hugging him tightly.

"This was you, wasn't it?" she said, releasing him.

"What was?" he asked, although it was not hard to guess.

She waved the letter at him. "This! This letter arrived earlier. It says my father's coming back to Lon Lon Ranch!"

Link smiled ruefully. "Oh, that. Yeah, I heard that."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing, really. The people I saw in Loxton were all delighted about the idea. Ingo tried to argue about it, but eventually he had to admit that the ranch still rightfully belongs to your father."

"Well, I'm sure you had a greater hand in it that you're admitting." She looked at him, trying to gauge his reaction. He did not say anything, keeping his expression carefully neutral. Eventually, her grin broke back through and she took his hand, pulling him towards the house. "I've made dinner, I insist you come and eat with me."

"What about Ingo?"

"He hasn't come back yet," she answered, disappearing into the house. Link followed her through the door. She was bustling around the kitchen area and quickly produced a plate of food which she set in front of him. In many ways, he enjoyed the quiet evening with Malon more than he had enjoyed the long night in the milk bar.

At the end of the night, he left and walked the short distance towards the barn.

"Link!" He turned, and Malon was stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the cosy light within. "Thank you. I'd say you've restored peace to this ranch, Fairy Boy. You've brought happiness back here." She flashed him her brilliant smile and turned inside, closing the door behind her.

Ingo returned the following day. Seeing him from the paddock, Link walked over to the barn while he was removing the horses from the cart. Seeing Link approach, he forgot his work.

"You still here, are you?" he said viciously. Link noted that the glint of madness had not vanished from his eyes. "I'd have thought you'd done enough damage."

"The ranch belongs to Talon," Link pointed out, adamantly.

"Pah! Talon was lazy." He went back to the horses, leading them from the cart. "I, the hard working Ingo, gave far more to this place than he ever did. I have every right to be in charge here." Link followed him dubiously as he led the horses into the barn. Putting them into their stalls, he picked up a pitchfork and stabbed half heartedly at some hay.

"Why did Talon leave?" Link asked, calmly.

"Because he was weak!" The derision in Ingo's voice was palpable.

"Did you spread rumours about him?"

Ingo turned and when he spoke, spittle sprayed Link's face. "That's a big accusation to make, boy."

"I'd suggest you allow Talon to return without fighting it too much." Link turned to leave the barn. As soon as he had his back to the other man, Ingo moved. He swung the pitchfork at Link's head.

Ready for the predictable attack, Link twisted and caught the fork with ease, wrenching it from Ingo's hands. Pulling it back, he thumped the butt into the man's stomach, then dealt him a sobering blow across the face. It was not hard, but it was enough to send Ingo sprawling on the floor.

Link tossed the pitchfork away and it clattered to the ground next to the disgraced ranch worker. Not bothering with any further words, he left the barn.

He expected the following days to be difficult, but the other man's behaviour was entirely bizarre. Strangely, the days that followed Ingo's return showed a marked improvement in his demeanour. He was surly, but not unpleasant, and entirely refused to leave the ranch house. The roles he was normally scrupulous in performing were neglected, and he was rarely seen.

In this time, the plans for Talon's return were formalised. He did not have much to do in Loxton, and it was only going to be a matter of days before he came back and would want the house back as well. Link was present when Malon tried to explain this to Ingo. She was very tentative, waiting every moment for him to explode in fury.

His actual reaction troubled her far more than if he had erupted. He stared at her with wide eyes, desperate and despairing. It was much harder to watch than his wrath, and Link almost wished he would suddenly explode. In the end, he said nothing, but slouched off to his room.

The following day, both Malon and Link were working to clear snow from the path to the road when Ingo abruptly removed himself to one of the outbuildings. The two stopped their labour and watched him quietly. Malon informed Link that it was the building he had always lived in before taking over the ranch house itself. They saw nothing more of him over the following week, except when he occasionally emerged for food.

During this time, Talon returned. Having set his affairs in Loxton in order, he made a triumphant homecoming to his beloved Lon Lon Ranch. Link did not know what Talon had been doing for the years he had spent in Loxton, but he picked up that he had had some basic job as a labourer. He shrewdly guessed that he had in fact been mostly reliant on Malon's generosity. He also guessed that Ingo had no idea what money had gone out of the ranch in that cause.

Talon's first night at home was a good one. He, Malon and Link ate together in the ranch house, and it was obvious from the start that Talon intended to work hard to ensure the ranch not only survived, but remained successful. Every now and then, Link saw Malon looking at her father and saw the adoration there. He remembered how much of an impression the two of them had made on him when he had first met them.

It was late when Malon pushed her chair back, embraced her father tightly, and moved to the stairs to her room. Talon began stacking plates and Link moved to help him.

The ranch girl turned at the foot of the stairs. "I'm glad you're home, dad," she said, before climbing the stairs.

Several moments passed while the two men busied themselves tidying the living space. Turning from stacking dirty crockery, Talon surveyed the homely room. He released a deep sigh.

"You know, it is good to be back," he said simply.

Link smiled. "I think you made the right decision."

"Yup, I hope so." His brown eyes settled on Link. "I reckon I've got a lot to thank you for."

"I didn't do much," mumbled Link, dropping his gaze.

"I don't just mean talking me into coming back to this place. By my reckoning, you've done a lot of looking after my daughter when I wasn't around to do it. I'm sorry for that. I neglected her and I see that now. But I thank you for it all the same."

Returning to his cleaning, Link said nothing, and they were silent for a few moments. Talon did not move.

"You know, you told me I ought to come back home, that I was needed here. I've got to ask, where is it you're needed? Where's home for you?"

"A long way from here." Link still refused to meet his eye.

"I thought as much. Looking at you, I can't help thinking that there's something you're running from." Still, Link did not answer. "You'll have to face it eventually. That's life. Look at me. Eventually it caught up and I had to face up to what I'd left behind." Finally, Talon turned away. He finished stacking the plates before he, too, moved to the stairs. "You're welcome to stay at Lon Lon Ranch as long as you want to," he said. "But when you're ready to leave, you can take any horse and all the supplies you can carry. I can offer you that much, at least."

He climbed the stairs to find his own bed, for the first time in four years. Link was left alone, with his head in his hands and far too much to think about.

It took the passage of a further week for Ingo to emerge. In that time, Malon and Talon stayed silent about him, and Link did not question them. The disgraced man suddenly reappeared one morning, though, picking up his chores as if nothing had happened.

Link was in the barn grooming a horse when Ingo entered and began shuffling around.

"Ingo?" ventured Link.

When the man looked at him, he looked entirely changed. "Good morning," he said, brightly. The madness had left his eyes completely, and instead he looked befuddled and dazed, but cheerful.

"Are you okay?" Link asked, taken aback.

"Oh yes" Ingo picked up the same pitchfork he had previously used to attack Link, and began enthusiastically forking hay as if unaware of any tension. "I am so happy to work here," he said emphatically.

"Right," said Link. "Good." Carefully, keeping one eye on the man in case there was any sudden change, Link tidied what he was doing and slipped out of the barn. Ingo either did not notice or just did not react.

Out in the field, Link quickly spotted Talon and his daughter and hurried over to them. As soon as he saw Link's expression, Talon nodded knowingly.

"So you've seen him, too, eh?" he said immediately.

Link nodded. "He came into the barn."

"Yep, looks like he's decided to come back to work."

"Are you going to say anything to him?"

"I've known Ingo for a very long time. I don't like what he did, but then we live in some pretty bad times. By my reckoning, a little grace and forgiveness might go a long way in these parts."

The big man fell silent as the barn door opened again and Ingo came out. He continued absent-mindedly for a moment before noticing that he was being observed. Changing direction, he shuffled over to them until he was standing before Talon.

Neither said anything for a long while. Talon's face was set as if he was not sure he was doing the right thing but was still determined to do it; Ingo's expression was harder to read.

Eventually, Talon held his hand out. "I'm willing to let the past lie, if you are," was all he said. Remorse and regret took over Ingo's face. After only a short pause, he took Talon's hand.

"Thank you," said the reinstated ranch owner, and it was obvious that he meant it. Ingo nodded, and his demeanour showed that he really did want to stay at the ranch. The moment passed, and Ingo walked back to the barn. Link and Talon stood together and watched him disappear inside.

"I think we're going to be all right," said Talon. "Coming back really was the right thing." He smiled broadly at Link and Malon, then moved off to his own chores. Malon turned to her companion.

"I agree with him. He finally faced what he was running from." Link frowned, immediately seeing the double meaning behind her words. "Dad spoke to me," she continued. "He thinks something pretty awful must have happened, but that's not rare amongst most folks now. You had family killed in the unrest, or your village was torched. It happened a lot. I made sure he never guessed near the truth. He doesn't know who you are."

Link looked away. "Thank you."

"So how long is it going to be before you leave here?"

"Do you want me to go?"

"No, of course not. But there are things you have to do, Link. I don't know what, but I know you can't leave them alone forever."

"What do you expect me to do?" It occurred to Link that his sullenness sounded identical to Talon when he had gone to him in Loxton.

"I know the past hurts. Believe me, I know. But I think you need to go home and face that pain. You need to come to terms with what's happened in your past, and that's the best place for you to start. If after that you want to come back here, I certainly won't stop you. The thing is, I would love you to stay her on the ranch forever, Fairy Boy, but I know you can't do that."

"I wish I could stay," Link sighed.

"But we both know you can't. You have to go and be a warrior, not a ranch hand."

"I've never felt like much of a warrior."

"I don't think you have much choice. It's part of who you are." She took his hand in hers and looked into his eyes. "You know you have to go, Link."

He hung his head as she walked away from him. When the rest of the ranch went to bed that night, Link simply sat awake. The night crawled on until, unable to stand the inactivity any longer, he walked out towards the paddock. Nayru's Love shone high above, its silvery light reaching down to the snow covered ranch.

Navi had emerged to follow him, her small light trailing behind him as he walked. He could feel her sadness, and her desire to go home. He also felt something from her that he had never noticed before: her disappointment in him. It had not occurred to him that his paralysis had inspired that.

Wrapping his cloak around him, he padded through the snow until he reached the low building where the Master Sword was still hidden. Slipping through the door, he walked quietly to the obscure bundle that he knew hid some of the most precious items in Hyrule.

He took out the Ocarina of Time and placed it in the pouch at his side, where once he had carried the three Spiritual Stones. Carefully, he picked up the Master Sword in its scabbard. Still holding it, he made his way back to the barn, but he did not sleep.

It was a clear frosty morning, when dawn crept into the sky. No new snow had fallen for some days, and what there was now had a frosty crust as the sun pushed above the horizon.

Malon was up before her father, and when she emerged from the ranch house, she immediately saw Link leaning against the wall of the barn. He had his cloak wrapped around him, but she could still see there was a sword hanging from his belt again.

She walked towards him. "You're leaving?" He nodded. "I knew you would."

"I'm sorry. I have to go."

"Promise you'll come and visit me."

"Of course I will."

She sighed. "Very well, then. I'm glad you were here this winter." With a sad look in her eyes, she turned and walked back into the house. Link frowned, he had expected her to carry on with her chores, but she looked as if she had forgotten something in the house. Unable to think of anything else, he did the normal jobs that signalled the start of the day at Lon Lon Ranch.

When the door of the ranch house opened again, it was not Malon but her father who came through it. He spotted Link, giving corn to the cuccos.

"Malon says you're leaving," he said as he walked over. Link looked up. He nodded, but could not think of anything to say.

"Sounds to me like you've finally made a choice about where you need to be. I knew a guy who once told me that sometimes all our choices are bad, and yet still we must choose. He was a good guy. Sensible. Wise. And when it came to it, he knew the right choices to make." Link still could not think of anything to say. He could feel a lump in his throat. Talon turned to go. "I'll make up a pack for you, and ask Ingo to saddle a horse. It's the least we can do." He walked back towards the house.

"Talon," Link called after him. The ranch owner turned. "Thank you."

His friend smiled. "No problem. Thank you, too. You've given a great deal to this ranch, and I don't think you're effect will soon be forgotten. Hey, if you ever come back, how'd you like to marry Malon?"

The question caught Link off guard, and he spluttered to find an answer before he saw Talon chuckling with laughter. "I'm only kidding. You're probably a bit young for that." He went back to the ranch house.

By mid morning, Link was stood by the dusky horse he had ridden so many times with Malon. It was a generous gift, he knew it was a good horse. Malon and Talon stood together, their breath still misting in the winter air.

"Well, I suppose this is goodbye, then." Malon was smiling, but her sad eyes gave her away. Link nodded. Talon stepped forward, his hand outstretched.

"Thank you again, Talamin. You've given a huge amount to this place." Link took his hand and Talon shook it warmly. "I hope your journey goes well, and I'm sure we'll see you again." He stepped back.

"So now you are my grim faced warrior, again," said Malon. Unexpectedly, she wrapped her arms around him and embraced him tightly. Unnoticed by her father, she whispered in his ear, too quiet for any but Link to hear, "Goodbye, Fairy Boy." She stepped away, and he could see tears glistening in her eyes.

"Goodbye," he croaked, and he knew he could not manage more. Suddenly he could bear the farewells no more; he put a foot in the stirrups and swung himself onto the horse's back, his pack hanging from the saddle. He dug his heels lightly into the animal's flanks and directed it towards the road. He did not look back until he turned off the little track from the house, and he saw Talon stood with his arm around his daughter.

Looking away again, Link turned his attention to the southern road. He urged the horse to a faster pace, and he knew that he had now left the ranch behind. He had found a strange sort of happiness there, but now he was set to return to the only other home he had ever known.