Here’s the third part of my Zelda/Malon story, or the second chapter. I’m sorry about the slow update. I really like to quadruple check my story. I know it will never be perfect, but I like to feel a little bit secure about it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda... Although, I'm sure Link would love to let Malon save the kingdom while he takes a vacation.
Talking “…”
Thinking ‘…’
Chapter 2
The Training Intensifies
It was getting late. The three young women (Saria, Zelda, and Malon) had spent the afternoon having fun around the castle. Zelda showed them some illusions she had learned from Impa. Saria made flowers into bouquets and crowns. Malon demonstrated some horse riding tricks she had learned when her father wasn’t watching.
After dinner, Zelda took them to the library where she studied. She pulled an aged book from a dusty bookshelf. She held it to her chest, displaying the royal crest of Hyrule. Her face held a guilty sadness to it. She refused to meet Malon’s blue eyes. “This is the book where I found the bonding ceremony. I looked through it half the night and I haven’t found any sort of reversal spell. Malon, I’m really sorry.” Zelda didn’t burst into tears, but one salty drop made its way down her flawless face. Malon who stayed within arms reach, gently wiped the tear with the back of her finger.
“It’s all right Zelda,” Malon’s voice was soft and soothing as she grasped both of the princess’s hands. Saria noted this exchange silently. “I’ve accepted my fate. Plus, it will make it easier to spend time with you and my other friends.” Then, the red-head turned and smiled at the forest sage to show she wasn’t forgotten. Saria tried to look as if she was interested in a dusty volume.
Zelda looked at the short blond. “Find anything interesting?”
“Well,” the sage looked as if she were trying to formulate the proper way to explain something sensitive. “This book about Hyrule doesn’t have much about the Kokiri. For some reason this really bothers me…” She didn’t want to offend her host.
Zelda considered the topic for a moment. “How about I let you author your own book? I always wanted to know more about the history of the forest people and I’m sure that other scholars would be grateful.”
Saria’s response was immediate. She embraced Zelda. “Really? Me? Absolutely!” She let go and began to chatter excitedly to Malon and Zelda, although she didn’t make much sense.
Zelda grabbed her by the shoulders. “Maybe you should start tomorrow… That way you can have some time to collect your thoughts, while I get you some materials.”
Saria huffed, then yawned. “Okay. I guess I can’t argue with my body.” They laughed and separated to get ready for bed. Saria had a room down the hall. Malon was currently stuck with a room in the servant’s quarters. Zelda had a large room just a couple of rooms down from the library.
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Later that night, Malon quietly walked down the same hall that led to the library. She walked past the library and walked up to Zelda’s door. It was late enough for the princess to be asleep. Malon stopped for a moment and waited. She focused on the bond. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Malon retraced her steps to her room and promptly went to sleep.
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In the morning, all three young women were anxious for Link to return, although Saria was a little more eager. Breakfast was short and silent. Malon was fidgety almost like a child who was told to wait until noon to open presents on Christmas. Zelda patted her arm soothingly and she calmed, temporarily. A maid came in and whispered in Zelda’s ear, earning a glare from the red-head. The maid bowed and scurried out.
“Jealous?” Zelda said with a sly grin. Malon grunted. Zelda continued. “Well, it appears Link has been spotted on his approach to the castle. I guess we’ll go… meet them.” She was met by an empty room. She sighed and followed them to the courtyard.
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Link was just getting off of his horse when Zelda arrived in the courtyard. Next to him, Saria was gazing at the person who had rode in beside him. A red pony tail was apparent over a brown mare. The owner was Nabooru, leader of the Gerudos, and Sage of Light. She had a smirk on her face as she looked at Malon with a measure of pride. She confidently strode up to the ranch girl and stuck out her hand. Malon took it and shook it firmly.
“Good grip,” the Gerudo leader commented, “definitely Mala’s daughter.” Zelda inched over to Malon’s side. Nabooru gently grasped the princess’s hand and kissed it in a gentlemanly manner. Malon coughed. Nabooru smiled and released Zelda’s hand.
Malon continued. “You knew my mother?”
“Yes. She was like an older sister to me in younger years. She was a weapons master in our tribe, a very great accomplishment for a Gerudo.” Malon was entranced, hearing her mother’s story for the first time. “Then, one day she met your father and left the village.” Nabooru sighed. Malon nodded. She was glad to get that much information.
“Thank you for telling me about my mother.” Malon was smiling, even as tears threatened to overtake her.
“She was really important to me. However, telling her story was not my real purpose for coming here.” She rifled through her horse’s saddle bag. She pulled out a long hide-wrapped object. “Before she left, she trusted me with her most sacred weapons, to be handed down to her heir.” She opened up the hide to reveal a pair of shimmering curved swords and a pair of daggers. Malon reached out and grasped a sword. She looked at it with awe and respect, remembering its previous owner. She backed away and gave it a test swing.
“It’s so light…” Malon whispered in awe.
Nabooru replied: “They were crafted from the lightest metals and strengthened with magic.” Zelda looked on with interest. She then noticed the absence of the other two.
“What happened to Link and Saria?” the princess said to no one in particular.
Nabooru laughed. “Link and I got into a fight and he didn’t have time to recover. He’ll probably need a nap before he joins us.”
Malon quirked an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Nabooru’s grin was mischeivious. “He’s going to be joining us in our training. He was a little rusty… After I teach you the basics, we’ll whip him back into shape.” The Sage of Light bust into a hearty laugh. Malon joined in with a nervous laugh.
“Me, taking on the Hero of Time? I’m going to need potions.” She murmured to Zelda.
“Don’t worry! You’re Mala’s daughter. Trust me, it’s in your blood. He’ll be crying for mercy in no time, but I’m the one you’ll have to worry about… Your mother taught me everything about fighting.” Malon gulped.
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Malon and Nabooru spent the first part of the morning on standard swings. The Gerudo leader wasn’t surprised at Malon’s swift learning abilities. She began to teach counters, combos and techniques next. Zelda watched in awe as she watched the two women sword dance. It was slow, but hypnotic. The flash of the blades and the swirling of red hair. There was a strange feel to the air as knowledge was imparted. It was almost as if someone was watching.
As the two stopped for a break, Nabooru shone with pride. “You truly are worthy to be called Mala’s offspring. I wish you could have been raised a Gerudo.”
“But then I wouldn’t have met Zelda…and Link.” She hastily added. Nabooru looked at her apprentice’s face curiously.
“Princess, Malon’s face is rather flushed. I think she might need some water.” The Gerudo hid a knowing smile as she watched the almighty princess of Hyrule bring a commoner water.
“Thank you, Zelda,” Malon turned slightly redder at the panting Zelda. She kept her eyes off her friend’s heaving chest, but apparently Nabooru didn’t harbor any similar reservations. Malon caught the line of sight and stepped in between them. “Perhaps we should continue training somewhere without distractions.”
“I wasn’t distracted, just waiting for you.” She looked quite pleased with herself at the sign of protectiveness. ‘She has good tastes. An exotic one.’
Saria arrived. “Hello, Nabooru, Link’s not feeling too well right now. I think he might be able to join you in training tomorrow.” Nabooru looked disappointed, while the other women looked concerned. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on him while I write my book.” She left as Malon and Nabooru resumed training.
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Late that night, a red-head could be seen walking towards the princess’s door. She paused. A moment later, she continued walking, back to her room
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Link looked a little groggy, but he was never a morning person. Nabooru took a yawn as an opportunity to attack. Link managed to get up his shield in time. Malon looked confused. Then, as the Sage of Light and the Hero of Time exchanged looks they turned on Malon, who was garbed in traditional Gerudo clothing.
Off to the side, Zelda was observing. She noticed the amount of skin Malon was showing. She watched the motion of the loose pony-tail as she unsheathed her scimitars to meet the attack. The princess was captivated at the wild, untamed beauty displayed before her. Malon was holding her own, but being pushed back. Something was missing.
‘Perhaps it’s time…’ Then, she disappeared in a flash of blue light.
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Malon was frustrated. She had expected to take turns, not be ganged up on. She really hated the fact she was giving ground, in front of Zelda, no less. She managed a glance in the royal’s direction. ‘Where’d she go?’ A pain of sadness hit her, as the Master Sword was deflected a few inches too close. Then, there was a curious zipping sound in the air.
Both Nabooru and Link retreated temporarily. Several knives were imbedded in the ground. All of them turned to where the knives had come from, but there was no one in sight. A blue blur appeared next to Malon, who jumped defensively.
Link spoke first: “Sheik?” However, he quickly shook his head. The body suit had clearly feminine curves. Although the mouth was covered with a partial mask, two blue eyes shone forth. Long blonde hair swayed gently in the breeze.
A familiar voice said, “No Link, it’s just me, Zelda.” Malon’s jaw dropped. Nabooru looked as if she had won the kingdom from the look on her face.
“Wow,” Malon managed to say. Zelda’s mask hardly concealed the blush. Malon had never seen the princess look so…attractive. She had to fight her own reddening face, as the fight continued. Nabooru attacked Malon. As Link moved into flank the ranch girl, Zelda shot forward with incredible speed and kicked at Link. Her foot collided with his shield and he slid a few feet back.
Nabooru looked amused as she pulled out her second sword. “Two on two. This should be more interesting…” The moderate, but aggressive pace was gone. Now there was an all out battle. Scimters clashed ferociously. Spins, flips, and kicks were traded. Nabooru’s face shone with perspiration and pride as Malon swiftly adapted to her tactics. Malon’s mind was swiftly scanning her opponent for any possible weaknesses or openings, but was surprised to find none.
Link was still in shock at facing off against the former Sheik. Zelda’s kunai kept him on his guard, deflecting them with sword and shield. His swift sword swings were countered by Zelda’s amazing agility. Often, Link would find Zelda disappearing and reappearing right within his personal space. Only his trained reflexes would save him from being flipped onto the ground. In an attempt to break his solid defense, Zelda threw several smoke bombs. With his visibility lacking, the Hero of Time immediately turned to his other senses. He heard Zelda teleporting around trying to throw him off. In a flash, he dodged a trio of kunai, before returning with an attack from his hookshot. There was a yelp as it found its target.
Zelda clutched at the gash on her side. Malon’s eyes grew wide. She unleashed a fierce combo that ended with a successful trip. In the next instant, a dagger was sent into the smoke cloud. Nabooru attempted to yell: “Wait!”
Another yell came from the smoke. “That was my favorite hat!” Malon immediately disengaged from the Gerudo leader and was sped to Zelda’s side. With a flourish of her scimitars, she assumed a defensive stance in front of the princess.
“I’m all right Malon. It’s just a scratch.” Zelda said, appearing to be embarrassed in more ways than one.
“It’s more than my duty to protect you. You’re my…friend.” Now both of them were bright red as Nabooru pulled a coughing Link out of the smoke screen.
“Are you finished all ready?” Nabooru asked. Malon looked to Zelda who shook her head.
“Not on your life! We’re not finished yet!” Zelda declared as more kunai appeared in her hands.
“I want to see all that you can offer! Show me the strength and skill of my mother!” Malon added.
“As you wish… Link, are you ready?” A nod came from the hatless hero.
Malon shifted her stance to an offensive one, as Zelda ducked behind her and disappeared. A second later, a Link heard the zip of kunai and raised his shield. He felt a presense behind him as he rolled forward, barely dodging a punch.
As Zelda kept Link on the defensive, Malon went on the attack. She began to alternate the speed of her attacks to keep Nabooru off-guard. Malon began to gain ground until Nabooru locked up swords with her in a low v-shape guard. The ranch girl improvised and kicked right between her swords right into the Sage of Light’s stomach. Nabooru grunted, but kept her guard up.
As Malon went to make her next strike, someone yelled out: “Lunch!” All four combatants looked over to see Impa standing by observing. The slight grin proved she had enjoyed viewing the battle.
As the combatants left the courtyard, Malon walked closer to Zelda. Malon let out a cough. “Nice out fit, princess.”
Zelda noticed how snug her outfit was and blushed. “I could say the same to you.” The royal made a show of examining the ranch girl head to toe.
Malon started blushing in return. Nabooru and Impa shared a smirk, while Link shook his head. All three were thinking: “Could it be any more obvious?”
Nabooru fiddled with a pouch that jingled. Impa gave her a questioning look. The Gerudo Queen smiled. “Just something else Malon inherited from her mother.”
End of Chapter 2
Sorry for the long update time. I’m not sure how this is going to progress. Short term I have ideas, but the long term’s looking fuzzy.
Input would be appreciated, but ideas would be fun. I’m sort of picky, but I’m a good sounding board.
I’m gonna sacrifice a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts to my muses! They’ll be working over time in no time!
Read and Review! It would be extremely helpful. Thank you.
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