Chapter Sixteen: Recounting, Part One

What should have been an easy trip became a more difficult one within an hour of setting out across the plains. A strong headwind from the west battled them, forcing Navi early on to retire from flight. The sky became cloudy, forecasting rain was likely to come. Hours went by without any, which Link counted as lucky. With no cover, a rainstorm would have been terrible. The wind picked up dust and dirt from the field though, forcing Link to shield his eyes often. As evening drew closer, however, the air grew warmer, and the clouds above grew more threatening. A storm was indeed coming, but he was close enough to their destination to believe he would be there before it arrived.

It was growing dark rapidly now, and Link grew more wary of his surroundings, remembering what happened last time he was caught outside the field at night. But this time was different. He was prepared, and he was stronger and better equipped. And with a Hylian shield covering his back, he could no longer be effectively flanked, remembering the pain that had brought.

"Navi, if Stalchildren attack us, do you think you can make it to the ranch?" he asked, looking about him. Navi, having taken up residence underneath his cap, peaked out, judging the distance.

"I could…you don't plan on taking them alone though, do you? You remember what happened last time," she said with caution. He nodded.

"I know, I'm better than last time though. If they do show up, I'd rather you get help, in case I do end up actually needing it. Support is always nice too, you know?" Navi nodded, understanding what he meant now.

"I can do it. We're almost there." She perched on his shoulder, ready to take off as soon as needed.

Not even a minute passed by before Link felt a familiar sensation. Link immediately drew his Kokiri shield and sword, prompting Navi to stand. This time she had felt it too, though she wasn't sure why she had missed it the last time.

"Go ahead, I got this," Link said.

"Be careful Link." She pushed herself off and flew ahead, Heading in a straight line over the wall instead of following to the entrance. The faster she could make it there, the better.

Seconds later, Link heard the ground break and the familiar hollow-sounding chattering. One of them appeared in front of him, barring the chance to simply outrun them. Another sounded off behind him, so he turned to his left to see them both.

"Alright you little undead freaks, let's see you try me now."

Navi heard the Stalchildren arrive, and redoubled her speed. She trusted her partner would be safe, since he had proven himself against the likes of Lizalfos, by far a more dangerous opponent, but Stalchildren spawned almost consistently, quickly turning engagements into a battle of attrition. The longer Link fought, the more he became his own enemy, too. With luck, he wouldn't have to fight for long. Making it to the wall, she flew up and over it, bracing herself against the wind that still blew relentlessly.

Link was the first to attack, making his assault on the one closest to his destination. Closing the gap swiftly, he kept his shield partially raised and brought his sword hand around and up for an uppercut. The skeletal monster was no match for his speed, and the creature screeched as the blow threw him back, several ribs and lower jaw now broken. Pressing his advantage, Link took two steps forward and threw his shield against it, shattering even more ribs, and without skipping a beat, stabbed the Stalchild in the eye and ripped it's head off, sending the rest of the body crashing into a heap.

Depositing the skull in his shield hand, he sheathed his sword, and took hold of it again in his free hand, and took aim at the other Stalchild shuffling towards him. He couldn't help but smile, remembering how he had nearly had his life claimed by such creatures. Their clawed hands were strong, but they were slow and cumbersome. So long as he was careful, he was relatively safe. He pitched the skull at the remainder's head, and was satisfied to see his mark hit, popping the other's head clean off, and it too crumbled to the ground. The bout had lasted in less than two minutes.

Knowing more would still come—his instincts told him as much—he wasted no time in hurrying towards Lon Lon Ranch's entrance. It was within sight when more appeared. Instead of two this time, however, a third had also risen, and all three blocked his path forward. Keeping his distance, He drew his boomerang, took aim at the closest one, and threw. It cleaved through its neck, dispatching the first target neatly, and when he caught it, he aimed again, still having time. The second time he threw it, however, the wind shifted, causing the weapon to veer and fall away. Cursing his luck and the weather, he drew his sword. He would have to deal with these two the hard way before recovering it.

The two were close enough together where he couldn't risk engaging either of them one-on-one as he had before. Thinking quickly, he moved to flank against one, so the other would be forced to step around the other, keeping both of them in his forward sight. He dashed forward, again keeping his shield raised in case it attacked first, intending to cripple it by slashing across its exposed lower spine. With a cackle, the Stalchild threw its arm about, slamming its hand against the hard wood shield. The blow stopped Link short, and he was forced to pull back, nearly stumbling from the force.

In the dimming light, Navi's glow shined brightly, racing back from the entrance ahead left of him. He sidestepped left, dodging another swat from the Stalchild in front, and slashed, taking advantage of the opening left. With the spine severed, the skeletal beast dropped and fell apart, leaving the lone Stalchild left now immediately behind its fallen companion. Navi reached him then, dropping onto his shoulder.

"Nice work of that one, you OK?"

"I'm fine, the ranch?"

"In a minute, you got this one, right?"

Link brought up his shield, waiting for the undead creature to strike again. He didn't have to wait long, the Stalchild cackled again, and brought up its clawed hand. Link threw his weight against his shield the same instant it attacked, and repelled it, leaving an opening. Link threw out his sword, slashing across its now-exposed front, and it recoiled. Pressing his advantage, he rushed it, slamming into him and sending it toppling. Before the Stalchild could recover, he leapt over the body, and kicked its head, taking it clean off and sending it rolling away.

"Done, now I need my boomerang, it's somewhere nearby up ahead, the wind caught it after I got one."

"I'm surprised you even got one, I'll search for it with you, let's move before more arrive.

As if on cue, two more dug their way from the ground, one of either side of him. Link groaned.

"How many are there?"

"They'll keep coming until we can get to safety. They're not in the way, let's hurry!"

Link didn't need to be told twice. He ran past them, keeping his eyes on the ground, searching. He found it quickly, counting himself lucky, and he put it away; in this wind, it was next to useless.

"Link, behind us!"

Link turned about, facing the two only a few feet from him now. Even though they weren't in his way, he would have to rid them before he could make it to safety.

He felt a drip land on him. Then another, and another. He groaned. Now it had to rain?

"Son of a Scrub, forget this," he growled, backing up quickly and pulling out a bomb. If it was going to rain, he wouldn't have to worry about lighting the whole plains on fire. Were it not for the grass having been just too dry, he would have used one or two already. Lighting one, he held it for a moment, timing it, then tossed it between them.

The blast sent dirt flying high into the air, and the small explosion that came of it sent both the Stalchildren flying in all directions. Happy it worked so well as it do, Link turned and bolted for the entrance. Talon stood at the gate, and even Ingo behind him, the latter holding a shovel in his hands looking quite menacing, Talon held what looked to be like a bow, but it was sideways and small, and it had a handle on it. He waved them over, beckoning them to hurry.

Seconds later, he was in, and he leaned against the wall to catch his breath, as the two locked the gate. Two more had appeared in that short distance, but they were outside, and there was no chance of them getting in. They would be gone by sunrise tomorrow, if they even bothered to stay active.

"Well well, you have a way of giving us quite the surprise, don't you lad?" Talon said, chuckling.

"Hmph, surprise my arse, that's twice now I've had to see those damn things," Ingo retorted, leaning the shovel across his shoulder. The rain had come to a drizzle now, the wind doing a fine job of turning the droplets into tiny bullets. Neither of them seemed to pay the rain any mind. "Still, 'least you're not half dead, lookin' like you learned a thing or two out there." He nodded, apparently satisfied with having said enough, gave him a heavy pat on the shoulder, and walked away, heading into the stables.

"He comes off rough, but he's glad you're OK," Talon said after a moment. "As am I. When I saw your friend at the window I thought it strange, she told me you might be needin' a hand. Never seen one of them critters get done in like that before though. But let's not stand here in this weather, my apologies, come, dinner's nearly ready and Malon will be glad to see you!"

"Thanks anyway for coming out, I wanted to be safe just in case," Link explained, walking alongside the man. "I suppose I'll have to thank Mr. Ingo too, he walked away before I could."

"He'd appreciate that, I'm sure. And you're quite welcome, it wouldn't sit right to not lend a hand anyhow. Here we are, after you young man." He opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Link and Navi to enter first. Talon shut the door behind him, and placed the strange looking weapon nearby against the wall. Just like the last time he had been in here, Link found the room full of Cuccos mulling about, completely unaware of their new guest.

Upstairs, quick footsteps were heard, the door above them swung open, and Malon stepped out, looking down. For only an instant there was worry on her face, but seeing he was fine, it was instantly replaced with a smile, which he returned.

"Forest boy!" she cried, laughing as she flew down the stairs and rushed over to embrace him. "I saw Navi too but daddy told me to stay inside, I'm glad you're safe!"

"Good to see you too," Link answered, returning the hug. She stepped back and looked him up and down properly.

"You look different somehow…I like it!" She giggled, hopping over to the door beneath the stairs. "You were on Death Mountain right? I wanna' hear all about it!" She opened the door wide and stepped through the short hallway into the kitchen and dining area.

"She's been wondering when you'd be back since the day you left," Talon remarked, shaking his head, but he smiled. "It's a nice change, 'round this ranch. Not much goes on, and she's a spirited one who needs a friend more than her old man." He stepped past the door, instead making his way over and up to the stairs Malon had come down from. "I'll be down in a moment, you go on ahead and make yourself at home."

"Thank you sir." Link nodded his head as an added gesture, and stepped through the hall, asking Malon if she needed any assistance. As it turned out, dinner was ready, and the only assistance Link provided was setting the table. By the time he was finished, Talon and Ingo had arrived as well, and the four of them took their seat around the table; Navi sat on the table itself beside Link.

The shower outside became a storm, rattling the windows with its wind and beating upon the roof with its rain. Despite its ferocity, however, Link found himself quite dismissive of it as they dined on a simple meal of Cucco over rice, vegetables, and gravy. And, being a cow farm, there was no shortage of Lon Lon milk. Link thanked Ingo for his aid, little as it was, causing the man, who up to that point had said little to nothing, to respond with a nod, a shrug, and a muttered word about being appreciated, but afterwards opened up to the table talk. Talon was happy to recount the latest news from Castle Town, having been there as it happened only earlier that day; the new Happy Mask Shoppe was still attracting a lot of attention, The Bombchu Bowling Alley had been closed for a day after a customer had accidentally let one loose behind the counter, and a clearance sale at the potion shop had all but made finding red potions impossible, which happily made their Lon Lon milk sales particularly profitable.

It was Malon who captured the room though. She was the first to laugh, and she had something to say about everything, and was the loudest to say anything at all. But her cheerfulness and wit could not be dimmed, and was rather instead infectious; her smile was everyone's smile, and her laugh was shared with everyone.

Link helped with the cleanup and the dishwashing with Malon, while her father and Ingo went to finish work in the stables. Navi retired early, claiming she wished to meditate, as they had failed to have time for it that morning, and wished for an early start.

"I'm really glad you came back to visit," Malon said after a moment of everyone departing, breaking the drum of the rain. "After you left it was kinda' boring."

"Isn't there a lot of work on a farm though?" Link asked, placing the four mugs on the counter beside the sink. Malon herself was casually scrubbing one of the plates.

"Oh there is, and helping dad with the shop we set up in Castle Town a few times too. Which reminds me—" she placed the plate on the drying rack beside the sink, and turned to face him with a knowing grin. "I heard from a Goron who came in to town after being strangely absent that a green clad boy with a fairy saved them from hard times. I can only think of one 'green clad boy with a fairy.'" She picked up another plate to scrub, still looking at him. "Was that why you went to Death Mountain then?"

"Well…no, but, that did happen," He admitted, rather embarrassed now. She giggled, returning to her task.

"Sooo?"

"So?"

"So tell me, what exactly happened?"

Link opened his mouth to speak, but quickly closed it again. It occurred to him, just then, that he had never told her, or the others, of his quest. Or why he had really left the forest. He had only spoken of it to, well, now that he thought about it, royalty. Princess Zelda, Chief Darunia, King Zora, and Princess Ruto. And of course, He had told no one of the Royal Family's secrets he had learned. But he had not said anything of his quest at all to Talon, Mr. Ingo, or to her. He wondered if it was OK to tell her. But then, they were friends. He trusted her.

"Do you remember why I told you I left the forest?" He asked, sitting down at the table again. Malon stopped in mid scrub, rinsing out the mugs now.

"Mmmm…You told me the Great Deku Tree told you to go to the castle, right?"

"Yeah. I never told you why though."

Malon said nothing. She finished the last mug, then pulled up a chair and sat across from him. She was looking at him now, really reading him. Something about the way he had said asked that question, the way he had said those last few words, told her to listen.

"Do you want to tell me?" She asked him. He nodded. "Then tell me. I'll listen." She smiled, a comforting kind, giving him her full attention. It reminded Link of the times Saria had sat with him and listened, when no one else would talk with him. She would sometimes even invite herself over, into his house, whenever he elected to seclude himself from the village. Just to be there for him. Just to listen. He had a feeling Malon would do the same thing for him.

"The Great Deku Tree, our Father, the Kokirian's I mean…He actually told me to go the castle, before he died from a curse."

Malon stared in shock. He had told her the Great Deku Tree was an ancient spirit of the forest, as old as Hyrule itself.

"Your father…? So then, when you came here, the first time...?"

"I had just lost him the day before."

Those words stunned her. She stood up, kneeled down beside him, and held him.

"I'm so sorry. I had no idea."

Her sincerity, as nothing else had since Father's passing, broke him then. He cried, softly, unable to hold back the tears. He had cried when he had died, but, he had not cried once after. He had not grieved for his loss as he should have, so much had happened, and too much was at stake. That was what he had told himself, to stay strong. The Great Deku Tree had told him not to grieve. So he had not, to stay strong, for him. But now, he cried. And she cried too, softly with him. She had lost her mother, he remembered. She understood.

It took a great deal of effort to calm himself, forcing himself to breathe evenly, and concentrating his attention on something else. First it was the sound of the rain, but when he finally opened his eyes, he found himself staring at her hair. In his travels, he had yet to meet anyone with hair quite like hers. Her red locks were vibrant, and the light shined off them in streaks of bright gold. Her hair was beautiful, not only in its appearance, but in its singularity.

A few minutes later, he gently touched her, and she pulled away, returning to her place. He smiled briefly, wordlessly thanking her, which she returned. Even her tear-streaked face was beautiful with a smile. Feeling strong enough to continue, he did so.

"The day he…passed…he summoned me. That was first time I met Navi…"

He told her what happened as he had told no one else. How he had been summoned, the minute before with Saria, and even the dream he had had that night. Mido barring his way, and subsequently how he had acquired the Kokiri Sword, secret treasure of the Kokiri, to his confrontation with Mido again. He told her even the minute details, particulars about the village, the Kokiri, his thoughts and feelings. She listened to him, asking only a couple questions, but she did not rush him at all.

He told her of his audience with the Great Deku Tree, how he had told him his dreams were because of evil growing in the land. And how he had told him of his curse, and his desire for him to be the one to break the curse.

"This was the same curse that killed him?" She asked. He nodded.

"And I broke it, but…it was too late for him."

"…What happened, then?"

He told her how he had ventured into the earth, beneath the ancient roots of the spirit. And how he had found his first door. And the "curse" beyond it. Queen Ghoma, Navi had later told him that was its name. His description of it was sufficient to have Malon almost horrified by it, and her face turned pale and she stared wide eyed as he told her how he had fought the insectile beast, his brush with death facing it, and his slaying of it, breaking the curse.

"I would have been terrified to do anything against such a thing, how did you do it?" She asked, shaking her head in disbelief. Link shook his head.

"I'm not really sure. I was terrified too, but when it started moving, I did too."

"So…killing that thing broke the curse, right? But you said it was too late?"

"The Great Deku Tree was dying before the curse was broken. I don't know why he waited till near death to summon me, he never told us. But he told us who cursed him and why, and what to do after."

"Who?" She asked quietly

"A Gerudo man named Ganondorf."

"Gerudo…" She frowned. "I know a little about them. The Hylian Civil War. It ended only a decade ago, and they were driven to the west."

"I know, I heard about it from King Zora."

"King who?" She asked, looking at him strangely. He smiled.

"I'll get to him. There's a lot to tell actually, I haven't even begun to tell you the crazy part yet."

"Crazier than Ghoma?"

"Crazier than Ghoma. Like how Ganondorf is the Gerudo King, and cursed Father to try to get a stone, which I have now, out of two others, which I also have now, to try to get into the Sacred Realm and take the Triforce."

Malon stared at him, even gaping. He stared right back, trying very hard not to smile at the look on her face, knowing this was quite serious. After a minute, she shook her head.

"Crazier than Ghoma," she finally said. "You're right about that. The Triforce? As in, the Triforce?" Link nodded. "And Ganondorf is after it?" he nodded again. "And, tell me if I'm right, you're trying to stop him?"

"And Princess Zelda, yes."

"Princess Zel—" She began, but she was too stunned to even finish. Princess Zelda, the princess of Hyrule. Link knew her?!

"Told you it's crazy."

She laughed at that. "It sure is, I'm not sure I would have believed you if you had told me any of this the first time we met, it's hard to believe now."

"It was hard for me to believe it at first too," Link reached into one of his pouches, and drew out, carefully, the Kokiri's Emerald. "This was the stone Ganondorf was after, Father gave it to me before he passed."

"Oh wow," she breathed. "It's so pretty." She looked back at Link, smiling. "If I didn't believe you before, I would now. Lucky you, I believed you before too," she leaned back in her seat as Link returned the stone to his pouch. "So, what did the Great Deku Tree tell you to do?"

"He told me to take this stone and find Princess Zelda at Hyrule Castle. He didn't call her that though, I found out later that's who he meant."

"That's why you said you were going to the castle then, the first time we met." Link nodded.

He told her of his final confrontation with Mido that night, and how he had decided to leave under cover of dark that morning after. He told her how he had decided to leave even moments before the Great Deku Tree commanded it, and why. He didn't want to bear the shame and the stigma that he would bear, false though they would be. He was already cast as an outsider to them, he didn't need to bear them ostracizing him. He told her of his final minutes in the forest, and Saria's promise and gift to him.

"She was the only friend I really had," he said, holding the ocarina in front of him. "She stuck up for me when no one else would, and she always listened to me. Kinda' like how you are now," he added. Malon smiled.

"We're friends now too. You can talk to me anytime. I don't think you have to worry about anyone picking on you anymore though." She giggled. "Just tell them about you beating Ghoma."

"Ha, no, I don't think I do either," he said, motioning by the wall where he had placed his shield—shields, he corrected himself—and sword. "It helps when you're armed." The two of them shared a laugh at this too. He was glad he was able to talk to her like this. And she, as far as he could tell, did not seem to think any less or more of him. To her, he was still the forest boy.

"After I left, I ended up here my first night. You probably know more about that than I do," Link said, frowning a little. "I was attacked by Stalchildren, like tonight. I got one of them, but the other got me in the back, and I blacked out trying to defend myself. I saw it get killed though and I heard your dad, but that was all I remember." Malon nodded, looking grim.

"I saw dad bring you in. You looked pretty bad, we were really worried. But dad said you were lucky, you got cut deep but it missed everything important, so we got you patched up good. You were up faster than we thought you'd be though, that surprised us." She smiled. "Dad said you must be blessed by the goddesses. He might be right."

"I've had a few people tell me that now," Link answered with a grin. "If someone tells me again I might just believe it."

"What, that you're blessed by the goddesses?" She laughed, standing up. "It's getting late, I should head to bed soon so I can get an early start."

"It is getting late isn't it? Navi's probably waiting for me if she's not still up." He stood up as well and pushed in his chair.

"You haven't got out of telling me everything yet, you haven't got to what you were doing on Death Mountain."

"Or Zora's Domain. I've been busy," he shrugged, and she laughed again.

"I guess you have been, you definitely have to tell me now." She hugged him, which he returned. "See you in the morning, forest boy." Just before they broke away, she planted a kiss on his cheek and skipped away, leaving him once again more than a little red faced. But this time, he didn't mind at all. It felt much more natural than last time, and after tonight, he was quite sure that she liked him, and he liked her too. Accepting that was much easier than trying to, admittedly very poorly, hide it. Navi had teased him enough about it, anyway.

Smiling, he picked up his gear against the wall by the window, pausing to look at the blackness outside, watching the rain splash against the windowpanes. He almost wished the rain would last for a while yet. He liked being here, another day wouldn't hurt.

When he made it to his room, Navi was still up, but when she looked at him, she smiled and nodded.

"You look happy. Malon?" She grinned. Link smiled back, which he was pleased to see Navi taken aback by.

"Yes actually," he answered her. "I'm glad we decided to come here."

"Oh really? Don't tell me I have to keep an eye on both of you now." Link laughed, but shook his head.

"I don't think so, no," he said, hopping into bed. He made to blow out the bedside candle, but paused. It was his turn to grin now. "Well, not yet anyway." He blew out the candle and rolled over, laughing quietly. Navi huffed, throwing her hands up into the sky. But after a moment of exasperation, she smiled as she stared at his form, bundled up in his sheets. She was happy for him, really. He had found a good friend outside the forest, and for any adult watching them, it was easy to tell they shared a bond.

She lay down on the bed as well, and they slept.