What If I Never Knew You? Title: What If I Never Knew You? Fandom: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time Rating: G Pairing: Link/Malon Warnings: None Spoilers: None Disclaimer: Just borrowing, not mine
Summers in Hyrule were always Link's favorite season. The land was simply vibrant and full of life. The colors were vivid and the air fresh. And it only made the time he spent at Lon Lon Ranch much more enjoyable.
It was this particular summer that Link decided to make Lon Lon Ranch his permanent residence. The current residents were ecstatic to have him. Link was wonderful around the ranch. Efficient, hardworking, a dedicated ranch hand through and through.
For Link, it was the company. Even when he worked alone, he was not truly alone. And what surprised him the most was the fact that he honestly thought they understood him, and that made the animals wonderful listeners and confidants
But what truly made Lon Lon Ranch endearing, near and dear to his heart, was Malon. She was his anchor, his stability. It was comforting for him to know she was always there. When he was away, she made his desire to return to Hyrule that much stronger.
The bright summer sun found the young friends in the hayloft this particularly hot day. With the morning's chores behind them, the two decided to spend a bit of their lunchtime settling Link into his new space.
Malon had insisted he choose a spare bedroom in the house. But Link seemed bound and determined to make the loft his personal space. Not that Malon was complaining. She was simply happy to have him there. “Is that everything, Link?” Malon asked as she placed a souvenir of Link's on the old dresser.
He straightened, pulling a straw from his golden hair. “I believe so,” he answered with a lopsided grin. Malon tilted her head at the hero, her fire red hair draping over her shoulder, as she returned his smile with one of her own. Beads of sweat had formed on his brow and he moped them up with the back of his hand. “Man it's hot today,” he muttered.
“Perhaps later we can go for a swim at Lake Hylia.”
Link grinned and nodded at the suggestion. Hot afternoons were better spent swimming at Lake Hylia. And so Link loved the thought. It would be wonderful time spent. He looked up and noticed Malon gazing at him with a soft smile on her lips. “What?” he asked playfully.
Malon shook her head. “I—It's nothing,” said Malon as she sat down on the mattress and taking their wrapped lunch from the nightstand and preparing it for them. “Sit, eat with me.”
He complied, taking a seat next to Malon and helping himself to his half of the sandwich. They ate in silence, Link choosing to focus on a particularly interesting knick in the floor, while Malon stared out the window. She had butterflies and they were beginning to make her feel a little nauseous. Her father's words were replaying in her mind and they weren't helping either.
He's here now, why don't you talk to him. Tell him how ya feel.
Setting her sandwich down, Malon turned and looked at Link, smiling softly and touching his arm to get his attention. “Link, let's talk.”
He swallowed and smiled at Malon. “What's up?”
She laughed nervously, running her slender fingers along her arm. “You know...this isn't easy.” Her voice trailed off and she cast a glance at the floor. She had no real idea about how to go about this. And it was funny because spontaneity was something she was good at. Link set down his sandwich and looked at Malon, concern in his blue eyes.
“What's wrong, Red?”
Malon felt a blush blaze her cheeks and suddenly it felt hotter. She fanned herself as Link slid closer. He was obviously worried for her. “Come on, Malon, talk to me.”
“Link I...” she spoke slowly and played with the sandwich in her lap. “How long have we been friends?” She asked finally, after a near deafening silence.
Link blinked at the question. It wasn't what he was expecting. He took a slow bite of his food before looking back at her. “I'd say nearly seven years,” he answered after swallowing. Had she forgotten how clueless Link could be? Just what was she getting at?
“You know what people are saying about us, right?” She shifted a bit and tried not to look nervous.
Link raised an eyebrow at his friend. “Do I want to know?” he asked. He really was starting to worry. Malon was smiling and he felt way out of the loop.
“They...ask me about us. They're curious. And well...I am too.” She looked up at him through her lashes and blinked shyly. Did he understand what she meant? He just sat there, blinking and staring at his sandwich. “Link...” She began but stopped abruptly when he lifted his head to look at her. “Malon, you know we can't...” He was silent when he saw her eyes. They looked glassy and tears stung the corners of her eyes.
“Don't cry, Red. It's just...we've got such a great friendship. Why ruin it with...this.”
Malon clenched her hands and continued staring at nothing in particular. Link stood and leaned against a wall. “Romance makes friendships complicated, Red. And what if we don't work out?”
Malon's head snapped up, her food slipping from her lap as she stood. Her face was flushed and tears traveling down the curves of her cheeks. “You won't even give it a chance! How do we know it 'won't work out' if we don't even try?”
“It's not like that at all, Red,” said he as he reached for her. She snatched her arm back, her bottom lip quivering.
“The tell me, Link! Tell me how it is!”
Link sighed and dropped his hands by his side. This was getting more complicated. Link hated seeing her this upset. “Red...I just don't want to mess this up. You're my best friend and I don't want to mess that up.”
She shook her head and walked the path leading to the ladder. Malon didn't want to deal with this. Not now. Maybe once she was calm and could actually think clearly. “Malon, stop.” Link turned away from her, heaving his shoulders and looking down at the loose hay scattered across the floor. “Maybe...we could...”
“LINK!”
He stopped, rushing toward the horrid sound of wood snapping. His face paled when he saw Malon laying on the barn floor, blood beginning to pool beneath her head. “Malon!” he climbed down quickly, avoiding the broken plank in the ladder and knelt down beside her. Her eyes were quickly losing focus and she grasped desperately at Link's tunic as the door to the barn opened and Talon's large frame stepped in.
“I heard a god awful crash wha--” His voice trailed off the moment he caught sight of his child, her hand now limply holding the fabric. “What happened?” Talon cried as Link gently lifted her and began making his way to the house.
“A plank on the ladder broke and she fell.” Link answered quietly, “Mr. Talon, quick, summon the doctor.”