Note: Hello, everyone! We're finally on the way to Kakariko, and, in turn, Death Mountain!

Thank you all for sticking with me so far, I hope to keep you with me until the end, whenever that will be!

Morning at the Ranch

The chill of early morning graced his cheeks as the dew lightly traced against the mushroom leather of his boots, Kapeora Gaebora setting Link down from his talons before he perched atop the pasture's fence.

"You still have a few hours before the owner here heads for Kakariko," the great bird informed the blonde boy. "You should use them to get some sleep, considering all you've been through recently."

Link stretched out, feeling not an ounce of sleepiness come upon him. At least, not until a few seconds later, as if the owl's words triggered some sort of unseen reaction. Still, where could he go? All things considered, he could barely get in a few minutes dealing with Talon's snoring.

"Hey, what about the place where they keep the animals?" Navi suggested to the steadily weary child. "They're bound to be a little quieter."

"Actually, I would suggest taking refuge in the supply shed to the side," Kapeora Gaebora informed Link and his guiding fairy. "Farm creatures tend to have a particular…scent to them if you linger around for too long."

Well, Link couldn't deny that. While the animals intrigued his curiosity, he wouldn't deny that some of them smelt better than others. And not by much. Although the little red one was cute, he dared not say such a thing out loud. Or rather, let Navi get a sense of what he thought. A boy like him? Thinking something was cute? He'd never hear the end of it!

Still, what was the little animal's name? A pony? No, horse. A little one. A baby even.

A baby without her mother.

Without a parent.

It was then that Link found himself overcome with the urge to see the little foal Malon had shown him earlier, yet another wave of drowsiness hit him, his eyelids reflexively lowering before shooting back open.

"Come on, you," Navi urged, gently grabbing the kid by the finger and guiding him to the destination set by the large owl. "Thank you, Sir Gaebora," she told the bird with a nod of her head. "Or, do you just prefer Mister?"

"Whichever title is fine," the owl answered. "Personally, I'm actually content with being Mr. Owl."

Navi chuckled, remembering her charge had given the bird the more simplistic title. Still, it was respectful enough, so it would do, she supposed. She wouldn't tell Link, yet she too had a bit of difficulty pronouncing the great owl's name.

Finally reaching the door, Link opened the door and entered the darkened shed, Navi serving as his guiding light as he navigated to find a place to maybe recline his tired, sore body for a few more hours. Ultimately, there was a small section in the back where a folded-up cloth lay, the boy immediately went and fanned out the makeshift blanket. There was no pillow for his head, yet perhaps his hat would do, the kid removing and folding it up into a little lump that served to provide some sort of cushioning.

"I hope they don't mind us making use of their home like this," Navi thought aloud. "Be sure to put that back where you found it, you hear?" she informed Link, yet received no answer.

Well, not entirely, light snores informing her that any attempt to get through to him was for naught.

Nevertheless, a small smile crept to her face, she too finding a small place atop his folded-up hat. "Goodnight," she whispered. "My reckless, careless…ridiculously courageous boy."

A Few Hours Later

He was halfway aware that he wasn't alone, and it wasn't just the presence of his fairy that brought him such a sensation.

"Huh? Whoa, hey! HEY!"

Turning over, Link opened his blue eyes to see the sight of a pair of brown, leather boots (although they didn't appear to be made out of the same mushroom material his were constructed from) slightly covered with a long, palish-cream dress with bright blue, rectangular markings on the lower section.

"You couldn't last through the night with Dad either?"

The familiar voice of a young girl had immediately gotten Link's attention, the boy rose to a sitting position to see the yellow scarf tied around her neck with an emblem of a horned monster. Yet the most distinctive feature, as always, was the flaming red hair that fanned out behind her.

It contrasted with her eyes exceptionally well.

Malon grinned upon seeing Link's shocked expression, clearly not expecting her presence in the shed. "Don't worry," she said. "I've spent a few nights here too due to the noise he makes," she said. "Still, I don't think I saw you leave the house."

"Oh, uh, that's because we…" Navi began, trying to come up with a cover story. "Well, Link here wanted to get a look at the little pony you've got, but I told him she was probably resting, so we should leave her be."

Link flushed. How did she…?!

"Why is your face red?"

Wait…she didn't know?

Malon's giggle cemented that he had just outed himself. "You wanna see Epona?" The redhead inquired. "Well, she's going to be needing her morning milk soon, so you can help me feed her if you want."

Really? Link realized that perhaps he jumped at that just a bit too quickly, Malon registering that, yes, the boy was indeed interested.

"Ok then, I'll be in the barn," the girl informed him. "You know where that is, right? Just behind here, ok?"

Link nodded in response, still a little embarrassed. Something Malon apparently just found funny.

"Great! I'll see you in a bit then!" With that, she left to tend to morning chores, leaving Link alone with his fairy.

Of whom he gave a rather displeased look.

"Hey, consider it retaliation for nearly squishing me!" Navi huffed, folding her arms.

The sun had risen from the position Link had seen it last, brightening the sky and casting the horizon in a pale yellow with light strokes of soft blue. He heard the neighing of horses set loose in the pasture, watching as the four-legged creatures grazed in the field. Yet, out of all of them, he didn't see the little red foal from yesterday.

Going over to the location Malon had specified, proving that he could indeed follow directions (take that, Mido!), Link opened the door of the wooden structure to reveal a number of black and white bovines greeting the newest arrival with a chorus of moos.

"Ah good, you're here!" the blonde heard Malon call from in the back, Link looking to see the red-haired girl with a small equine curiously peeking its head over the gate of her stall. "I just got the milk ready for her."

He approached, eagerly at first, yet then his steps grew tentative and soft, realizing that the small animal he had come to see was far more fragile than he had initially believed. Navi surveyed the small foal herself, noting how the white-haired filly was practically a dwarf in comparison to her larger companions.

"Actually, it's good you're here," Malon said, grabbing the hollowed-out horn she had made use of yesterday and a bucket full of extra milk taken for Epona's breakfast. "Sometimes Mr. Ingo helps with this, and I can do it myself, she explained. "But, honestly, it's easier with two people, so would you mind?"

Wait a minute, Link thought. Was she asking him to help out?

"I think that's a yes," Navi told the girl, her charge's elated expression more than telling enough. "Still, remember, be careful," the fairy informed Link. "She's still just a baby."

"Yeah, yeah," Link responded, answer short enough to properly speak, thankfully. "Care…ful." Well, almost, anyway.

Entering the stall, the small, red foal looked up with her large, dark eyes, eyeing the horn and bucket in Malon's grasp, knowing well what was coming, evident by the excitable neigh that came from the tiny equine. "Ok, ok, you'll get your fill soon enough, just be patient!" Malon playfully chided the foal who was now trying to get at the horn in the girl's possession. "Link, you mind taking the bucket and pouring it in the horn?" she asked. "Not all at once, just enough to fill it up a little."

Nodding, Link took the bucket and waited for the redhead to position the end at the filly's lips, the ivory, thick substance contained within was unfamiliar to the blonde and far different than the water he used to sustain himself in the Kokiri Forest. Dipping his digit into the fluid, the boy tasted the liquid and found it rather sour in flavor. Nevertheless, there was a strange sense of satisfaction that it brought to his tongue, its presence lingering longer than that of mere spring water.

"Not bad, huh?" Malon acknowledged, noting Link had snuck a taste. "You should get a taste of the ones we bottle up. We're taking those to Kakariko today," she informed. "If we've got any left, you can have one. But first," she positioned the hollowed-out horn at the filly's mouth, the little horse shifting a little in her position. "We gotta feed this little girl."

Right, Link thought, eyes on the red-skinned foal. Seeing that Malon was ready, the boy began to pour the milk down the horn, albeit a little excessively at first, trails of white working their way down Epona's lower snout and neck. Yet, with a little practice, the blonde managed to find a steady rhythm, filling the horn just enough to where the small filly could comfortably drink at a steady rate, Malon keeping the horn to her lips.

All the while still humming that tune Link had heard her sing when she fed the little horse yesterday.

"You know, I don't know if I've ever asked you, but you don't have animals like these where you're from, do you?" Malon inquired, turning her attention to Link, all the while making sure to keep on feeding Epona.

Link shook his head.

"We have animals, yes," Navi informed Malon. "Yet, no, these creatures aren't exactly native to the domain of The Great Deku Tree."

"I didn't think so," Malon added. "Shame, really," she sighed. "It was before my time, but I remember my Mom telling me all about the wild horses that once roamed Hyrule's fields."

"Really?" Navi inquired, Link too interested, the fairy sensing what he wanted to say. "There used to be more…things like Epona here?" the fairy then took a look at her charge. "Surely you could've chosen a better term than that, couldn't you?"

Link shrugged. "Thing" was a universal term, wasn't it?

Nevertheless, Malon continued satiating his curiosity. "Oh yeah, tons of them," she answered. "Mom said that they came by every summer to migrate across the country. I heard they do it to spread territory and find mates."

Mates? What was that? Link turned to Navi, yet the fairy seemed a little reluctant to say.

"Perhaps we'll save that discussion for another time," the winged woman told her charge. "Anyway," she then said, quickly redirecting the conversation. "Do these creatures migrate as well?" she questioned Malon, gesturing to the more stout, white bovines that also occupied the barn.

"Oh no, cows are way different than horses," the young girl told the fairy and her boy. "True, there are some wild ones, I guess, but they're mostly made to be cared for by people," she said. "Horses are special, they can come and go as they please," she then paused in her feeding, Epona wondering why the milk had ceased coming. "So, if they stay, then that means they want to be with you."

The filly neighed again, her eyes turning to Link, then to the bucket of milk. The milk she had just been drinking. While the filly and boy possessed incredibly different minds from one another, the small animal couldn't help but wonder if the one she was somewhat avoidant of yesterday had just assisted in her morning feeding.

It was then that her instincts and defenses began to soften, intrigue replacing apprehension as she eyed the green-dressed boy. He smelt different from Malon, yet that was just it, different. He wasn't dangerous. At least, she found little reason to believe so.

To the red-haired girl's surprise, the little filly steadily approached the boy, forcing him back up against the stall door while Malon, Navi, and a recently awakened Sparky watched on. Epona sniffed, taking in more of Link's scent, terrain, and land far from the Ranch and the safety of the Barn alerting her that he was from somewhere she had never seen. However, there was a familiarity that also spoke of a lack of a vital connection.

One that the filly herself never had with the mare that had birthed her.

The foal then dipped her head into the sack behind Link's shield, her small teeth catching an object in its hold and bringing it out to inspect, the filly now eager to try and empty the sack of all of its contents, starting with a few Deku Nuts and Sticks. However, Link wondered if she really wanted the apples Saria had given him for the journey, she happily took one once she found it.

"Oh hey, is this an ocarina?" Malon asked, grabbing the instrument and examining it for herself. She then looked at Link. "You play?"

Link shifted a little, although he was torn between trying to answer and stopping Epona from getting any more of his apples.

"A little," Navi answered for him. "His friend, Saria, from the forest gave it to him before he left. Although, it's fair to say he needs a little practice."

Link huffed.

"I'm merely being honest." Navi retorted.

Malon chuckled. "I never played an ocarina before," she informed her companion. "But the animals like music."

They do? Link titled his head curiously.

Malon brought the ocarina to her lips and began to play, the tune she had been humming played out on the woodwind instrument, the sound different from just her voice, yet both still communicated a gentle, soothing harmony. "Like it?" she asked. "It's a song my Mom made up. Said that it soothes the animals," blue eyes met the little filly's. "She seems to like it at least."

A small chirp from the smaller reptilian said otherwise.

"Ok, maybe dragons have an affinity for music too," Malon chuckled. "Anyway," she said, seeing that Epona had finished up all of the milk. "Still, we'll have to get ready soon," she said, kneeling down to give the hatchling a little scratch on his horned head. "Epona and everyone else have to stay here, but Sparky is coming with us."

He was? Link went over to the small dragon, the fire-colored reptile chirping happily upon seeing the boy. "Malon!"

Link bit his lip. "No, Sparky, I'M Malon," the red-headed girl said. "He's Link."

The dragon titled his head, eyeing the aforementioned boy with intrigue. "Malon!" although it seemed to do little good.

"Still, that aside," Navi interjected. "Why do we need to take your friend here with us to Kakariko ?"

Malon shook her head. "It's not the village that I'm looking to take him to," she answered. "It's the mountain beside it," she said. Then whispered. "Otherwise, I wouldn't even bother going."

Later

"Death Mountain?" Navi questioned aloud, Link sharing her sentiments.

"That's right," Malon answered, she and Link loading the last of the milk and other products onto the wagon, and her father and Mr. Ingo were almost ready to make the journey as well. "You'll find it west of Kakariko . It's where the Gorons live."

"Gorons…" Navi said, Link musing on the word as well. Yes, he remembered, Gris said something about them.

"The Rock People," Malon continued. "At least, that's what I've heard them called."

People? Made out of rocks? Even with all he had seen, Link found that prospect a little difficult to believe. Did that mean they ate rocks too?

"Have you ever seen them?" Navi asked Malon, trying to gather information for her charge.

"Oh, no way!" Malon responded. "Hylians and Gorons don't usually associate with each other for any reason," she informed the forest dwellers. "Plus, I've also heard that you shouldn't mess with them either, they're scary when they're mad."

Link glanced at Navi, then at Malon, not entirely sure how to process what was given to him. Still, regardless, his uncertainty didn't last long, determination coming to his youthful features.

"That may be," the fairy mentioned, making sure to get Link's attention. "And I'll remind him to be careful," she assured the girl. "But we have to see them," she paused. "For The Great Deku Tree."

Malon was quiet for a few moments. "I don't know entirely what you've been told to do," she said. "But I can't help but wonder," she expressed openly. "If you're from the forest, then why would your…father? The Great Deku Tree, send you?" she asked. "Oh, not that I doubt your abilities or anything, but, well…"

Link bit his lip, eyes shifting and boot lightly kicking the ground. Truth be told, he still wondered the same thing.

"Still…if it means that much to you, we can take you there, no problem," the redhead girl assured the boy and his fairy. "Although, you might have to find your own way back."

"No worries," Navi told her. "We have somewhere else to go after we're done at Death Mountain."

"Where to?" Malon inquired.

"To where Zoras live," the fairy answered. "Or wherever the last Spiritual Stone is."

"You're planning on seeing the Zoras too?" the girl questioned, clearly baffled. "Good luck with that one. That'll be next to impossible."

Link was about to ask how so, or at least waited for Navi to ask for him, yet the voice of Talon broke through the mood of their conversation. "Hey! Malon! You and your friend almost ready?!"

"Almost, Dad!" Malon called back, seeing her father up at the front of the wagon, Mr. Ingo steering the horse that would pull the transport vehicle. She then looked around, as if searching for something, or someone. "Wait, where's Sparky?"

Suddenly, Link felt a large mass shifting in his sack, a reptilian head popping out from the opening, three whole apples in its mouth before promptly devouring them all.

Outside Lon Lon Ranch

Link watched as the haven for the strange yet curious creatures grew more and more distant, the open space in the back of the wagon serving as the perfect viewpoint. While he hadn't stayed long, the blonde boy found he was a little reluctant to leave, knowing he wouldn't be returning with the owner and his family.

Despite being so different from the Kokiri Forest, Lon Lon Ranch was rather homey.

"You know, you're actually not that bad."

A voice broke through the boy's musing, turning his head to see Malon had just addressed him, she carrying a small pouch that contained Sparky in its confines, hidden from her father and Mr. Ingo. The back of the wagon was covered with a thick cover of white, concealing the bottled milk and other products to sell in Kakariko, as well as the two children situated with them to keep watch.

"At what?" Navi inquired for her charge.

"Taking care of the animals," Malon responded. "Epona seems to not be as anxious around you as before."

Link's eyes brightened. Did she really think so?

"You know," the redhead girl continued. "Do you have anywhere to go? After you've done what you're supposed to do?"

Well…no, Link thought. True, Saria had offered him a place at the Sacred Meadow when she had first taken him there, yet, if he had to be honest, he didn't feel entirely right going back to the forest. Not after what happened.

"Well, I'm not asking you to live there or anything," Malon clarified, trying to make sure she didn't sound too intrusive. "But, you know, if you don't have any place else to stay during the tougher stuff you do, you can…?"

The girl then paused, confusing the blonde boy and fairy. He was about to inquire what was up, yet Navi cut in before him.

"Hey!" she whispered. "Listen!"

It was distant, yet once he realized it was there, it wouldn't leave. The sound of beating hooves on the ground, just like the horses he had seen at the ranch. Only they seemed numerous as if several of the animals had escaped and begun to run wild in the field. Yet, if that was the case, then why did it sound like they were all coming toward them?

"What's that?" Talon questioned, puzzled, yet Ingo urged him to not move.

"It's them." he hissed, face stricken with concern.

It didn't take more than a few moments for "them" to make their presence known. Riding in on horses of pure black, tall riders with bronze skin and blood-red hair approached the wagon, five or so steeds with some rather fearsome people situated atop the animals.

"Oh no," Malon bit her lip. "The Gerudo."

"Greetings, gentleman," the head of the presumed hunting party told Talon and Ingo, Link recognizing the rider as the woman in pink he had seen in the Castle. "I take it that you're on a little journey?"

Link continued to study the band of women that had come upon them, spotting the woman in red among them as well, along with several others who were dressed in purple and concealed their faces from view with a facial cloth that only allowed for their eyes to peer out.

"What are you doing, get down!" Malon chided, shoving the boy down to the floor of the back of the wagon to conceal him from view.

"Oh, well…yes, we are!" Ingo answered the woman in pink, trying to appear as non-combative as possible. "We're actually on our way to Kakariko to sell some of our wares!"

"Is that so?" another spoke, the Gerudo woman in red, eyeing the back of the wagon. "Well then, seeing as we managed to bump into each other at such an opportune time, maybe you can assist us with something."

The two men at the front immediately felt their blood turn cold. "Uh…like, with what?" Talon asked, all the while keeping an eye on Malon and Link in the back.

The woman in red smiled, clearly enjoying the effect her people's presence had on the general populous. "A few nights prior, we've had a little thief from your country sneak in and steal some of our supplies," she explained. "And we have reason to believe that they're making their way around trying to evade us."

Malon froze upon hearing those words, eyes turning to Link. Was that true?

"Well…what did they steal?" Ingo inquired.

"Just some minor things, nothing more," the woman in red assured. "However, you must understand that such actions against us aren't exactly taken kindly. Thus, we've been searching in order to teach them to not take what doesn't belong to them."

Navi paled, concealing herself under Link's hat. While she didn't need to tell the boy to keep quiet, that didn't mean she couldn't note what she saw to herself. "These guys, er, girls, don't look like the type to play around." Dare say, they appeared dead serious.

"Do you…remember what they looked like?" Talon asked, the woman in pink taking over the conversation.

"The theft occurred at night, so few managed to get a good look," she informed. "However, we do have a brief description of their attire. Apparently," she paused, topaz-colored irises spotting a hint of a particular color in the back that moved out of view just at the last second. "They were dressed in green."

Note: After 4k words, I find that I begin to become a bit burned out, so forgive me if things seem a little short. But I don't want things to drag on for too long.

Anyway, here's hoping this has enticed you enough for the next chapter, and I hope to hear from you on this one!

Let me know what you'd like to see!

Thank you!