Prologue
Lightning flashed, and yet, the boy sat on the fence alongside the dusty road. In fact, the rain didn't seem to bother him in the slightest. A figure appeared. At first, this figure was only a dot. But as it got closer, it was revealed to be wearing a cloak that obscured it's face.
The boy climbed down from the fence and walked straight up to the figure. "I've kept up my end of the bargain, now tell me who you are and why you're so interested in the Tetra-force!"
"My name", the figure said "is unknown by many in that legendary event in which the Tetra-force was held in the balance, where the hero defeated the monster. But I played an important role. For I held the love of a that hero and have kept it save to this day. But now, the hero is gone. My name is Malon, and I will find the Hero of Time".
Chapter 1
One Month Earlier
The News had traveled quite quickly in Hyrule that the Sorcerer King was dead, and Ganondorf's "Reign of Terror" was over. Everywhere, the people were throwing parties and having a grand old time. Lon Lon Ranch was no exception.
All of Talon's relatives were there, and even Ingo was wearing a smile (but that might have been from all of the Lon Lon milk he had been drinking). Yes, everyone was happy. Everyone, that is, except Malon. To her, the air had an empty quality to it. And she knew why.
When Princess Zelda had returned to the throne, she had told the tale of the Hero of Time's brave deeds in defeating the Sorcerer King. However, she gave no hint as to where the Hero was now. In fact, when Malon had asked that very question, the Princess had averted her eyes and quickly started talking about how everyone could do there part to help rebuild Hyrule.
Malon knew one thing, she could feel it in her bones. Link, the Hero of Time, was gone. Not dead. Just gone. It was like he had never existed.
Why did this bother Malon? it did, because she loved Link. Malon remembered how Link had saved her when the ranch was taken over by Gerudo Thieves. She could still fell Link's strong arms around her as they hook-shoted to the top of the barn.
Talon's words broke into her thoughts. "Come and join the fun Malon!"
"No thanks" Malon was sitting on the fence, petting Epona. "I'm okay".
Talon shrugged and walked away.
Malon sighed. She was remembering when the Gerudo Thieves had fled and Ingo was lying on the ground, moaning. Link had saddled up Epona
"You're leaving?" Malon had asked
"Yes".
Malon was still blushing from the kiss they had shared on the roof-top.
"I-I wish you would stay".
"I would, but I have to find Zelda".
"Oh..." This made Malon blush even fiercer.
"Malon..."
"Yes."
"I, I want you to have this". Link took off his cloak and handed it to Malon.
The cloak? The cloak! Malon's mind had just formed a plan. If no one would tell her where Link was, she would just have to find out herself! She jumped off the fence and dashed to the house. She ran to the bedroom and pulled a dust covered chest out from under her bed. Malon coughed, but somehow managed to open the lid and dive in.
The chest was mostly full of her mother's things. But at the bottom, Malon had gently placed Link's cloak under a pile of sheet music. Malon used to pour over this sheet music, hoping she could somehow decipher it. Now, she shoved it aside to get at the cloak.
Malon threw the cloak over her shoulder, then heard the clink of metal against the floor. Looking down, she saw a sheathed knife had fallen out of Link's cloak's pocket. Malon tucked the knife in her belt and ran outside. Hurriedly, she saddled up Epona, pulled the cloak's hood over her face and jumped on Epona.
"Yah!" She called to get Epona moving. The party guests heard her coming and quickly got out of the way to let her pass. Epona's hoofs thumped loudly as she gained speed. Just a little farther, and she would clear the fence.
Chapter 2
Castle Town
Epona jumped the fence and as they swept across Hyrule field, Malon looked back and shed a tear. She felt horrible for abandoning her father, Talon like this, but she would come back, right?
Malon decided that if she wanted some answers, she'd have to go to the source, in Castle town. The journey to Castle Town would take about a days worth of travel. The sun was already low in the sky. Just getting there would take all night....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the first Cuckoo crowed, Malon saw the distant outline of Castle Town. She yawned, stretched, and looked around. She had been sleeping in the saddle, a useful skill Talon had taught her at a young age.
The drawbridge, to the Town and palace beyond, had just thumped to the ground as Malon tied up Epona. Malon was cautious, she was never in town much, but proceeded onward.
It looked like she had stumbled upon one of the more busy days at the market. Everywhere, people were rushing to get at the best goods, and vendors were shouting out there products. It was all very noisy.
The smell of freshly baked bread wafted under Malon's nose. Her stomach growled, and she realized that she hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. She pulled out one of the few rubies she had and followed her nose.
Malon had to shove her way through quite a bit of meandering people to get some bread. She was shocked when she read the price sign. 5 rubies for a bun? That's ridiculous! She thought. But food was food, so Malon payed the vendor and found a quiet spot to eat.
She remembered coming here with her father on that fateful day when she first met Link. Talon had a big wagon which he used to haul goods to the market, mostly milk. Today He had a special order from the castle. Ten dozen bottles of milk! Talon needed help hauling the milk to the castle, so Malon went with him.
Malon had been in awe with the market. She had never been to a market and gazed with wide-eyes at everything they saw. Eventually, Talon left her in front of the castle to guard the rest of the boxes while he took some in. After a few hours, Malon knew that Talon had fallen asleep.
Then, the boy came. He was pushed around by the guard at the gate. Malon felt kind of sorry for him.
"What are you doing?' The boy was walking gloomily back to the market. He looked up.
"I was trying to get the castle to see the Princess. I have a special mission to see her."
Malon giggled. "Well, you'll never get in that way! Tell you what. My father is sleeping somewhere in there. If you promise to find him, I'll show you a secret way into the castle." Malon had found this secret way about an hour into her father leaving.
Present-day Malon had just finished her bun and had stood up. If she was going to see the Princess, she'd better hurry.
She ran up the path to the gate. About fifty feet from the gate, Malon found some vines and climbed up the sheer rock face. At the top, she walked atop the gate, and found a hole with a ladder. She climbed down and ran on. Malon kept away from the guards and managed to sneak into the Princess's garden.
"Princess Zelda?" Asked Malon
"Welcome Malon, I've been expecting you"...
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