Link tugged the reins, pulling Epona from her gallop to a quick trot. The horse tossed her head and pranced, happy to be free to roam the fields with her rider once again but displeased that they had slowed. Malon, however, was grateful for the change in pace. Epona, eager though she may be, was not as strong as she had been due to months of easy use.
Without the wind in her face, Malon was able to open her eyes wider and look around, taking in the details of the scenery. They had just crossed the outskirts of the desert, a place right in front of the canyon mouth where the red desert sands bled into the lush green grass of Hyrule Field. The ground glittered in the sweeping sunlight and Malon couldn't help but smile at the effect. Link pulled Epona to a slow walk, then stopped her at the mouth of the canyon. Malon let her eye wander up the blood-and-rust rock walls, pressing themselves up against the vast blue sky.
"Do you need a rest?"
"I could stretch my legs a bit." Malon said.
"You ride better than I expected." Link replied, smiling as Malon slid off the horse's back.
"I've been riding longer than you, Fairy Boy." Malon reminded him with a raised eyebrow. Link nodded and smiled again.
"You're right." he laughed, "I forget I got Epona from you."
"How on earth could you forget something like that?" Malon asked, bending down and touching her toes. Link slid off Epona and circled the horse, hooking one hand under the beast's jaw and pressing his forehead to her nose.
"I don't know why," Link said, stroking Epona's cheek with his knuckles, "but I feel like I've known this old girl for a long, long time."
Malon straightened and watched Link and Epona. The horse was nickering softly as Link stroked her velvet nose, her eyes reflecting a peace and happiness that Malon hadn't seen in the months they had been left abandoned. She knew what he was talking about, that depth to the horse that set her apart from the other foals. What Malon hadn't realized until now was that the same sense she had about Epona, she also had about her Fairy Boy. Even as a child she realized that there was something different about him, something separate from the fact that he had been raised Kokiri. This was it. He had an old soul, a soul that had lived a hundred lives, died a hundred deaths, and found its way inside him. He was destined for great things, greater things than a friendship with a ranch girl, greater things even than saving Hyrule.
"Let's give 'er a bit of a rest." Link suggested, pulling Malon from her contemplation, "Want to walk up the canyon?"
"Is it safe?" Malon asked in surprise.
"Would I lead my favorite girl into danger?"
~o~
No matter what Link said, it certainly felt like danger. After a few hours of walking, the canyon had opened up into a wide bowl cut in half by a gorge. Link had allowed them to rest for another hour, using the time to brush off Epona and change out his bandage while Malon peeked over the gorge at the river below. She inspected the bridge, which lay tattered and broken on either side of the crevice, and watched a series of men come out of a tent on the other side and observe the pair before retreating back.
"Who are they?" She asked, returning to Link .
"Builders." He said, "Well, what's left of them. The Gerudo have taken a few of their members hostage and they haven't been able to finish repairing the bridge."
"How are we going to get across?" Malon asked. Link smiled and looked up at Epona.
"What?" Malon demanded, pressing her hands to her hips.
"She can make the jump, she's a strong girl." Link said proudly.
"That is so dangerous! You've done it before?"
"Of course." Link smiled, unfazed by her fury. He stood and replaced his tunic, wrapping the thick leather belt back around his waist and tightening it.
"Are you ready?"
"I'm not jumping that thing with you."
"I'm afraid you don't have much choice." Link said, the Gerudo don't like anyone loitering on this side of the canyon."
"What?" She asked. In response, Link merely pointed to the top of the canyon walls. Malon looked up, and was surprised to see a couple women who were standing on top of the rocks, spears in hand. She couldn't make out much details, the women were standing against the sun, but she could see that they were tall and looked strong.
"They'll be coming for us soon. We'll be safe, I promise."
"I can't believe you make her do this kind of stuff." Malon huffed as she climbed astride the horse. Link grinned and got on behind her, running his arms underneath hers to take hold of the reins.
"Hold on." He whispered in her ear, then began leading Epona back. The horse seemed to know what was wanted of her already, her muscles twitching with excitement. Malon pressed her knees into the horse, fingers grasping at the edge of the saddle, as they took position. Epona stomped once, twice, before Link gave a single shout and the horse began bolting forward.
Malon had never known such speed in an animal. The wind rushing through her ears was almost enough to drown out the string of Ancient Hylian that was slipping between Link's lips, words to encourage the horse to go faster. Or a prayer…no, she didn't want to think like that. Epona sped toward the edge of the cliff and at the last possible moment, with a massive heave of her powerful back legs, she sprung into the air.
Time slowed as they passed above the gorge. Malon could see the whitewater hundreds of feet below them, tossing and turning within itself like a river made of boiling water. The roar of the wind and the waterfall was deafening, and for a split second Malon could have sworn that her soul left her body with its arms stretched out to the sun. Then, all at once, they came crashing back down to the ground as the draft horse's hooves made contact with the other side. Epona ran a circle, slowing to a prance and tossing her head in a prideful display.
"Good girl!" Link exclaimed, clapping the horse's haunch with a laugh. Malon was still, catching her breath as Link put his hands on her shoulders.
"See? I told you she could make it."
"I… while I do admit… that was amazing… I do not condone that kind of treatment of my horses." Malon managed to gasp. She put a hand to the hollow of her neck, feeling her heart slow back to its normal rhythm. Link only laughed and took up the reins again, turning the horse toward the narrow canyon now facing them. Before they could go, a fat man emerged from the tent and approached.
"Are m' eyes playin' tricks on me?" he asked, his voice low and husky, " Or is this the little forest boy all grow'd up?"
"The devil himself." Link smiled, sweeping off his hat in a mock bow.
The man shook his head and brought a hand up to rub the back of his balding scalp. "I'll be damned."
"I've heard of your troupe's recent misfortunes." Link said, his voice turning grave.
"Them ladies ain't best pleased wit' us." The man sighed, "But how'd you heard about it?"
"I have connections." Link said with a shrug, "I'll get them back though."
"How'd you plan on doin som'tn like that?" The carpenter asked, crossing his arms.
"Don't you worry about that. Just get prepared to get some real work done, the time for your break's nearly up."
"Just as cheeky as when ya' left us. Damn… seven years did a number on both of us, boy."
"That it did." Link smiled sadly as the man turned and re-entered his tent, then held up a hand to silence Malon. "Listen… you are going to hear some things, and there are going to be issues discussed… and overall it's better not to ask any questions." he said.
"I thought my Fairy Boy told me everything." Malon said, half-teasing.
"Everything I could." Link murmured, then kicked Epona again and started toward the canyon mouth.
~o~
"It is bravery that brings you here."
"Or foolishness."
"He has a woman with him."
"Hylian?"
"With red hair?"
"They are bold…"
The voices seemed to come from all around, but Malon couldn't see anyone. The canyon wall stayed true and tall on one side, while the other broke off and plateaued high overhead. She was sure that was where the myriad of voices were coming from, but it disturbed her that they were seen without seeing anyone else.
Link led Epona up a narrow pathway that led up to the top of the plateau. Malon's mouth opened in awe. Partially carved into the glittering blood-red stone, partially built of stone brick, there lay a veritable palace. Malon could see the women all around them, their chocolate skin glowing in the sunlight, the light fabric of their clothes billowing around their long, lithe limbs. Almost all carried some kind of weapons. Long, curved swords hung from hips. Tall, ornate spears dwarfed their carriers. Beautifully carved bows and arrows were slung over arms. In the distance, Malon could see horses being led up another ramp by more of the women.
While most of the women wore purple or light pink garb, one woman in particular who wore bright red clothes stepped forward, taking Epona's reins and whispering in a language that was neither Hylian nor Ancient Hylian. To her surprise, Link replied in the same language. The two conversed for a moment before Link raised his left arm, displaying the back of his silver ruby gauntlet to the woman. Malon saw her eyes widen for a moment before she said. "Nabooru?"
"No." Link replied in Hylian, "Taken, seven years ago."
"Who." the woman replied.
"Kotake and Koume."
"You are sure?" She had a heavy accent. Her kohled eyes narrowed at Link, and all he did was nod.
"And this one?" the woman asked, gesturing to Malon.
"A lost daughter." Link said, suddenly taking a lock of Malon's hair in his fingers.
"There is only one Gerudo who has not returned to us." The woman said suspiciously, "Can this girl tell her story with accuracy?"
"Can you?" Link asked in a low tone.
Malon nodded. "I can tell them of my mother."
"Come." The woman held out her hand to help Malon off the horse. Malon took it and let herself be helped down while Link stayed astride Epona. He said something else to the woman in the strange language and the woman suddenly began to laugh.
"They are useless anyway." She said, "but if you insist, let's make a game of it."
"Must we?" Link asked with exasperation. "Hasn't enough been done to those poor men?"
"This is a test of you, Forest Warrior." the woman said. "I will take this daughter inside and I will find you. I will test your mettle to see if you are worthy of Gerudo support," she looked to Malon and smirked, "without the help of your woman."
All the surrounding women burst into a flitter of giggles before disbanding. Malon felt strong hands on her shoulders as the woman guided her to a doorway.
"Go inside, there is food." she said, then turned Malon and stared into her eyes. "No need to fear, daughter. All women are safe within the Gerudo."
~o~
It was hours later when Malon saw Link again. In the time interim she had told the story of her mother and Talon so many times it felt sore in her mouth. Link looked much like she felt, coming into the room covered in scratches, blood running down his forehead, and a wide grin plastered across his face.
"Link." Malon said with exasperation, motioning to the seat next to her. Link took his place, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket and dabbing his forehead.
"She's a hell of a fighter, Malon." Link said, smiling.
"You fought her?"
"They're a warrior society. I needed to release the carpenters, it was a fair trade."
"You need to be gentle with yourself." Malon chided, leaning back in her seat and running her fingers lightly across his back. "There's no way that is healed yet."
"I've had worse." Link said, winking.
"Who is that woman, anyway?"
"I don't know her name, but I know she's some relation to Nabooru."
"And who is Nabooru?"
"She's… well, the Gerudo don't really have a queen… but she's kind of like their leader. The Gerudo are supposed to be ruled by the one man who is born to them every hundred years, but Ganondorf was too extreme for them and they pulled their support. Nabooru would have been almost like a wife to him, but she became their leader instead. She disappeared seven years ago, though, which left… this woman. I think they're sisters or… cousins. Or… maybe not." Link shook his head. "Their society confuses me. You'll have time to work out the intricacies while I'm gone."
"Wait, while you're gone?" Malon asked, her heart sinking.
"I need to go to the Spirit Temple." Link said, shifting his gaze to the grain of the table.
"You're leaving me here?"
"I have to." Link said, "The Spirit Temple is going to be dangerous. Even more dangerous than the Shadow Temple."
"That's why you can't go alone!"
"That's why I must go alone." Link said, suddenly serious. "I'm so close now, Malon. This is the last piece, the last temple, before I can finish this. Forever."
"Link…" Malon could feel tears welling in her eyes and she shook her head. "I don't want you to go, you can't leave me again."
"Malon. It's not going to be forever." Link said, bringing up a hand and hooking his finger under her chin. "I will come back for you."
"I was so terrified when you disappeared for all those months. All those nightmares, those things you saw… how can you do that again?"
"Malon… it's my destiny." Link said, "My duty to Zelda and all of Hyrule."
"I'm selfish." she said, turning her face to him. "I'm sorry, but it's true. I don't want you to save Hyrule if it means you might have to die."
"Malon."
"Please…" she whispered, reaching for his hands, "Link… just… stay the night with me. I'll let you leave in the morning, I'll bid you farewell, but… just be mine. For one night."
Link studied her face long and hard, his blue eyes piercing the depths of her soul. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly and he brought up a hand, stroking her cheek with his knuckles. Gently, too gently, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.
"When I return, Malon," he said, his voice low, "I will be yours forever."