Saami (saami_chan) wrote in het_challenge, @ 2007-10-16 08:19:00 |
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Entry tags: | a: saami_chan, f: legend of zelda |
The Castle Garden (Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Link/Malon)
Title: The Castle Garden
Author/Artist: saami_chan
Fandom: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Pairing: Link/Malon
Rating: G
Warnings: Badly written fluff
Prompt: prince(ss) and pauper: playing up the class differences between A and B
The orchestra had begun to play a strangely sweet melody and it danced and swirled into the air of the palace. Couples of all ages, dressed in fine silk and satin graced the marble dance floor and began twirling about in patterns; the women’s dresses flaring about behind them as their dance partners guided them gracefully across the floor.
Malon felt so out of place there, among all the elegant dresses and distinguished suits. Her dress was not in itself as fancy or elegant, or intricately embroidered as the others. It was a dark emerald green, accented by gold trims about the sleeves and neckline. The neckline itself dipped down just a bit, revealing the tanned skin beneath. Invisible straps, hidden beneath small ruffles, kept the dress securely in place as Malon took several steps forward, her heeled shoes clanking against the marble floor as she did so.
This was a party for Link. He had been gone for nearly three years, having been sent off on some important (and equally perilous) mission by Princess Zelda. And now with him back home safely, Zelda wasted no time in announcing to the entire kingdom that a ball would be given in his honor. The men had cheered and admired Link when they saw him standing on the dock, donned in his green tunic. Despite the old appearance of the fabric, Link looked so regal. The women swooned (earning a noticeable envious scowl from their men) as he stepped down from the dock. Malon had been in that crowd. And she liked to think that just for a moment he had searched that crowd for her before being whisked off in some carriage to the castle.
She liked to imagine that he hadn’t heard her when she called out his name, when she waved her arms to get his attention and he turned away, that he didn’t see her. The crowd was too large and rowdy for him to see her. And that was the only answer she would believe. Because Link would not simply ignore her. He wouldn’t.
A silence fell over the crowd, and Malon straightened pressing her palm against the wall she had been casually leaning against. There were soft clanks on the marbled floor before the soft frame of Princess Zelda appeared on the summit of the first set of stairs. She looked more regal and formal than any there, her dress of a light shade of pink and graced with golden Triforces. Malon released the breath she realized she had been holding when Link didn’t appear by her side. Zelda began speaking, her soft lilting voice floating through the air. Malon listened silently, wondering if a scowl was visible on her face. She thought so, because she noticed a woman in the crowd, giving her such a strange look before turning her head away.
With Zelda’s speech concluded and Link’s praises sang, the Hero of Time appeared, almost from nowhere by Zelda side, dressed in a newer green tunic and fresh white leggings and shiny brown boots. Malon had to turn away; Link looked nothing like what she remembered. He didn’t even carry himself the same as she watched him take Zelda’s hand and led her down the stairs.
The orchestra began again, this time a softer rendition of Zelda’s Lullaby began to play. The floor filled again, with couples of various ages. Link and Zelda remained in the middle, taking small circles around the floor. She could hear the whispers then. How the other women thought Link and Zelda made such a cute couple. Of course, it only makes sense. The Hero of Time and Princess of Destiny. There simply wasn’t a better match. Malon bristled. They were treating Link as if he were some invalid, incapable of making his own decisions. What if he didn’t want to be with Zelda? What if he wanted to do something else? Besides, Link had lived on the ranch with her and her father for almost two years before he even left on that mission. He was her best friend. She knew him inside out and was quite certain Link would never be satisfied with such a dull and complicated life in the castle. Of course, being cooped up behind the ranch walls didn’t seem like such a wonderful alternative either.
He was a Hero, born and raised. He knew only adventures with danger at his back and sword in hand. And that probably explained why he would sometimes take Epona and disappear for days at a time back when he did live on the ranch. Malon sighed. There was so much more Zelda could give him than she could. Zelda could go on adventures with him. Give him the excitement and danger he knew.
Malon’s life was much simpler when it came down to it. Though one couldn’t necessarily describe her life as easier. It was just simpler, mundane, routine. She didn’t have prophetic dreams, or the knowledge of ancient artifacts stored away in ancient monuments. She didn’t have a piece of the Triforces embedded in her hand. She didn’t even have a fancy title after her name. And there wasn’t going to be one until after her father died (Goddesses forbid) and the ranch became hers officially. Malon was just a farm girl, plain and simple. And maybe Link deserved something more. Much more than she could give him.
She forced a smile when she saw him coming toward her, a teasing grin playing at his lips. “Hey you,” he said, finally reaching her.
Malon took a deep breath and her fake smile grew. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
Link shook his head, his blond hair moving as he did so. “After six months, I was ready to come home. These old bones just don’t work like they use to. And besides, I was rather homesick.” His smile seemed genuine and there was a strange gleam in his eye. Malon felt her heart flutter and she cursed herself.
“So what do you plan to do now, Fairy Boy?”
“Zelda asked me to stay in the castle for a day or two. But I have every intention of getting back to the ranch. Unless…you’ve replaced me.”
Malon peered up at him, and noticed he a smattering of freckles on the bridge of his nose. And he had flecks of hazel in the sea of blue he called his eyes. Malon quickly composed herself and smiled. “That’s the only reason I am here. To make sure you’ll be returning to your post and we won’t have to go looking for replacements,” she lied.
Link sighed, masking his disappointment in her statement with a faux smile. “Yes, I’ll be back to work with you,” he said softly. Malon’s shoulders heaved and the orchestra began again. This time playing a strangely familiar melody. “…My mother’s song?” She asked, looking up at Link, who’s expression changed quickly.
He smiled proudly at her and gently took her hand. “I asked the orchestra to play it sometime tonight. I’ve always wanted to dance with you to it.”
Malon blushed and allowed her friend to lead her onto the dance floor. The other couples had stopped to watch, as they listened to the unfamiliar, yet enchanting melody haunt through the air. Link held her close, a much closer than he held Zelda, but still far enough away that Malon wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. She hummed softly as he guided her along the dance floor, his fingers making tiny circles along her spine. She shivered in his arms and as the music hit the melody, Malon gazed up at him and her blue gaze matched his. The world around them seemed to melt away, leaving only Malon and her Hero.
“Stay with me…” Link whispered softly as the music continued to dance and swirl around them, like cherry blossoms carried on the wind. For a moment, the brief euphoria blocked out the reasoning of her mind but it eventually caught up with her and as the music faded into the chattering of the guests. Malon stopped, staring at Link for a moment.
“What do you mean?” she asked softly.
He moved toward her, only for her to back away from him. “Tell me what you mean!” she demanded, earning a few onlookers.
Link blinked several times, unsure of why Malon was acting this way. “Malon…I want you to stay with me. I…” his voice trailed off, his next sentences failing him completely. He was bewildered, at a lost as to why she was being this way.
Malon said nothing more and turned on her heals to walk away. “Malon? Where are you going?” Link called after her.
She did not answer, instead grabbing hold of her skirts and bolting toward the stone doors, sealing the exit. The doors refused to budge and Malon cried, tears streaming down her cheeks, before she noticed the doors leading to the garden were open. She passed through them quickly and ran the garden-like labyrinth, taking random twists and turns.
“Malon! Stop! Wait a second!”
The closer his voice got, the harder Malon tried to get away. She couldn’t face Link, not now. And yet she found herself stopping when he grabbed her arm and pulled her back toward him. “What’s wrong? Why did you just run out like that?” Link demanded.
Malon shook her head, refusing to answer. “How can I fix the problem if you won’t tell me what’s wrong?” Link reasoned. He had to get her to talk. “Please Malon, just talk to me.”
“You want me to stay with you!”
“Yes, of course.” Link nodded in affirmation
“Why?”
He paused, unsure of how to answer. “…. Because I care about you Malon. I love you and want you with me.”
Malon’s hands curled into fists, and she felt the tears coming once more. “I need you to look at me, Link. Really look at me.”
“I am looking at you, Malon.”
“I can’t give you what you have here. I can’t give you fancy parties and adventures and prophetic dreams. I don’t have that. I’m just me!”
Link tilted his head to the side as Malon continued to speak. “I need to know, is this enough? Can this be enough for you?”
He looked back at the castle before turning to Malon once more and smiling softly at her. He took her hands in his own and gently drew her closer. “I dream of no one else but you. I don’t need any of this. All I need is you.”
Malon bit her lip as Link drew her in, closer to his chest and wrapped his arms about her waist. She sobbed softly, gently slipping her arms through his and resting them on his back.
“Stay with me…”