Christmas In Hyrule [One-Shot]
Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda.
Summary: It's that special time of year in the land of Hyrule. Everyone is looking forward to the holiday season, except one. The Farm Girl of Hyrule. Can a certain blond-haired hero get her in the holiday season? Set during the child timeline, when Link returned from Termina.
The snow blanketed the entire land, without a spot covered. It covered the barren trees in Hyrule Field. Smoke billowed out the chimneys that were across the land of Hyrule. Malon, the daughter of Talon who owned Lon Lon Ranch, watched this from a room on the top floor of her house. Her mind was certainly not in the holiday spirit, as she saw it as a waste of money. She and her father made enough to survive and never exchanged gifts because having him was enough for her. However, he was in Kakariko Village and was participating in an event that the King of Hyrule asked him to do.
It was the evening before Christmas and Malon was at home by herself. She walked downstairs and was about to make herself some tea when a knock on the door caught her off guard. Who would be out in weather like this and who was at her door? Malon walked over to the door and looked out the peephole. She saw a figure wearing a green cloak with a hood concealing their face.
Malon opened the door just a bit, her eyes connecting with theirs. "Can I help you?" Her voice was a whisper, her eyes studying the figure. She could tell it was a man, but that was all she could tell on a black night.
"Miss, can you offer a wanderer some food?" his voice was a whisper, almost like he was scared to talk to her. He sounded far younger than she thought.
Normally she was cautious about strangers, but something told her she could trust him. She nodded softly, as she allowed him in. He walked in slowly and she motioned for him to sit in a chair, "Oh let me help you with your cloak." He moved like she was dangerous and she was taken aback.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to react that way," he apologized and gave a soft sigh. "To be quite honest, I haven't seen the land of Hyrule in over 7 years." His voice trailed off for a moment. "I also thought I'd never see you again."
Malon raised a brow. "'Again?' Who are you?" Without another word, he lowered his hood and raised his blue eyes to her. It took her a moment before shock appeared on her face. "L-Link?!" Her voice, her reaction, her tears...Link never intended for her to cry.
After Zelda sent Link back, he spent months at Lon Lon Ranch before he left to find Navi. He was able to reconnect with Malon and before he left, she told him to take Epona with him. He promised Malon he would return and even though it was 7 years, he came back.
He pulled Malon into his arms and she rested her forehead against his shoulder. "I came back for you," Link whispered into her ear.
Hearing those words made Malon sniffle a bit. She always had feelings for him, even when they were kids. Now that he was here, holding her in his arms, she felt like a kid again. She felt how strong he was. He was and had grown into a strong young man from a young child. She gently backed up and her lips found his own and he returned it slowly. "I hope that tells you how much I missed you," She whispered once they pulled apart.
Link gave a small smile as he removed his cloak. She saw his green tunic had old and fresh blood and dirt, and it was torn. She raised her eyes to him, and he looked into hers. "What did you go through, Link?" She took the cloak and hung it up for him. She went to get him some milk and warmed up the soup she had on the stove.
After a few quiet minutes, Link grabbed her hand. She raised her eyes and saw the intensity in his. "I want to tell you everything, but you may not believe me. I can't tell you what I went through without mentioning everything." She knitted her eyebrows together and only nodded. Link began his tale and didn't leave anything out. He mentioned meeting the Princess and how she told him what to do. He mentioned how he saved the gorons from starvation, saved the Princess of the Zora from their guardian deity, and then the tale of the seven sages and the temples. He knew her during his adventure and then when it was all over, Princess Zelda sent him back in time to regain the childhood he lost. It seemed to Malon that he lost everything he gained and didn't know what to do. He lost his companion, he lost his friends, and he lost his way. He traveled to another land to find his friend. He never found her, he ended up in Termina, saved that land, and came back to Hyrule.
"I honestly believe you," Malon whispered, as Link sipped on his milk. A look of shock appeared on his face. "I mean, the land of Hyrule is rich with history and previous heroes. It seems as though this is your tale and you would go down in history."
"But no one remembers anything and it does hurt me," he whispered. He looked pretty defeated.
"Link," he looked up at her. "Her majesty and the seven sages should have remembered everything that took place. I may not because I'm just a regular hylian, but I believe you. I know of the previous heroes, so it's not so far-fetched. Anyone with knowledge of those tales will believe you. And even without those other tales, I believe you because you have never lied to me. You risked your life for the land of Hyrule."
The corners of his mouth twitched, as he gazed at her. Her honesty made him feel exceptionally better. There was a way Malon used her words and it brought comfort to the young man. A small smile appeared on him as Malon smiled at the hero as well. "Malon, I never thought my life would turn out the way it did. However, I'm glad to have you, and knowing that you believe me is enough for me."
Malon was about to speak when the door opened. She and Link both turned to see Talon coming in with two other individuals. The gasp that escaped one of the individuals was heard. "Hero?" Malon and Link stood there a bit shocked. It was Zelda, the Princess of Hyrule. Her father stood behind her and the three of them were all staring as though Link was a ghost.
The young man gave a small bow with a smile. "Your Majesties. Talon." He raised his head, as Zelda embraced him. Talon and Daphnes were slightly shocked as Zelda never did that, it wasn't 'princess-like.' "I'm glad to know you missed me."
"Of course I missed you," Zelda blurted out. A soft blush graced her cheeks, as her father and Talon began to laugh, A chuckle escaped Link's lips, and Malon gave a soft giggle. She cleared her throat. "Hero, Malon, is there somewhere I can speak with you both privately? It will not take long." Malon raised a brow and nodded. She motioned for them to follow her, as Talon and the King closed the door to the house, knowing Zelda was in safe hands.
Once they were all alone, Zelda looked at him. "Did you find what you were looking for?" Link's smile faded as he shook his head no. "But I believe you have." He raised his eyes to her and appeared confused. "I know you believe what you were looking for was your companion Navi. Someone who understood you. But you have found what you were looking for without realizing it. You found Malon again. A young beautiful woman, who you know you love. You trusted her enough to tell her of your quest." Link appeared startled. "I'm the bearer of wisdom, Link." Malon and Link saw the mark on her right hand shining, as the mark on Link's left hand was shining. "I know in my heart that you will be at peace, even if you couldn't find Navi." Link said nothing, as his sapphire hues landed on her.
Malon reached for Link's hand, as he looked at her. "She is right, you know. I was very sad earlier, but you came back and it brought life back into me, I love you, Link Hero of Hyrule and you're the best Christmas present I could have ever hoped for." A small smile crossed his lips, as he leaned towards her. They both closed their eyes as their lips connected. Zelda cried tears of happiness, glad her hero was finally home. He found someone who understood him and that made her more glad than anything else.
FIN.
XYukiNoHanaX
HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
