The Legend Of Zelda: Blood Of The Holders

Lon Lon Ranch

The landscape was now quite familiar to Link: the land, the trees, even the air held the scent of familiarity, and the gates of a familiar place loomed on the horizon. The sight of the Lon Lon Ranch brought a smile to Link’s face as the flood of memories filled his mind. The sight had also affected Epona, who started galloping towards the gates, leaving Impa and Paldnor behind.

“Easy, girl!” He called to Epona. “We’ll get there.” But the young mare happily galloped through the gates on her own will, passed the buildings towards the horse corral. Link reigned Epona to a stop in the ranch’s horse corral, and several new building caught his eye. There were two new stables and the corral was much larger than he remembered. Epona impatiently shook her head, and pounded her front hooves.

“Alright, I’m getting off.” Link said, removing his foot from the stirrup. As he dismounted, a sweet and very familiar melody filled the air causing Epona to neigh with excitement…but Link still had one foot in the other stirrup. “Epona, wait!” But the mare galloped the short distance towards the girl singing the melody, dragging Link several feet through the dirt.

Link coughed as he gathered his thoughts, the lack of terrible pain told him that he had no broken bones but he ached nonetheless from the dragging. While he lay on ground, his vision was filled by a slender booted feet.

“You deserved that.” A soft voice said.

“I did?” He asked, still coughing.

“Five years, you never visited me. No letters or nothing.” Link looked up to see a face that he hadn’t seen in years. Malon’s red locks hung down and the smile on her face betrayed her mood; the facade of anger at Link had instantly been swept away as she offered him a hand. Taking her small hand, Link was helped to his feet rather easily by Malon, who pulled him into a tight embrace. “Welcome back.” She whispered lovingly. Link hugged her back, but still felt the sting of his lonely years on Hyrule field.
“I’m sorry I didn’t write.” Link managed to say, feeling the guilt. They held each other for several seconds, and Malon kissed him on his cheek before they separated.

“Epona seems quite healthy and happy.” She said, stroking the horse’s head. Link could feel her heart still fluttering. “I guess I can forgive you.” She added with a smile.

“I’m relieved.” He answered with a bit of sarcasm.

A moment later, Paldnor and Impa galloped into the corral, the old man having some trouble controlling his animal.

“Whoa, boy!” He called as the gelding stopped. Impa dismounted and removed her saddlebag then handed the reins to a young stable boy, who immediately led the stallion to one of the stables.
“Always a pleasure to see you, Lady Impa.” Malon called out, still holding Link’s hand.

“And you, Miss Malon. You may house all three in the royal stable.” Impa said in her stern monotone voice as she helped Paldnor dismount.

“Of course.” Malon answered.

“Thank you, Lady Impa.” Paldnor said as he put both feet on the ground and stretched.
“How much further?” He asked Impa pointed north.

“A short walk over the hill and through the city.” She answered, and Paldnor nodded and looked to Link and Malon.

“Link, who would this pretty young lady?” He asked, walking toward them.

“Paldnor, this is the maiden of Lon Lon Ranch, Malon.” Malon curtsied as Link introduced her.

“An honor.” Paldnor said, bowing. “Paldnor Gorely.” He added, taking Malon’s free hand and raising it to his lips.

“A pleasure, Master Paldnor.” Malon answered.

“Malon is the girl who raised and trained Epona, and her father owns this ranch.” Link explained, but Malon cut in.

“Father retired, I own it now.” She said, not hiding her pride. “Talon lives near Lake Hylia now.” Link’s surprised stare caused a slight giggle to escape her lips. “See what happens when you disappear for five years. When you come back, you make yourself look like an idiot.” Link’s face reddened.

“You own it now?” He asked.

“I do. I hope you noticed the improvements I’ve made around here.” She added pointing to the new buildings. “We have new stables, a new barn. I’m even planning on building a new residence during the summer months.” She said, her enthusiasm showing through her small round face.

“It is quite a place you have here, Miss Malon, and you’re quite talented; Epona is fine mare.” Paldnor added as he looked around.

“Thank you, Master Paldnor. Ranch work is hard.” Malon replied and then glanced in Link’s direction. “And not for everyone.” She added softly.

“Oh yes. A relative of mine tried raising horses, but had not the heart for it.” Paldnor said, sounding as though he would start another story one of countless that he told wile traveling.

“Where are you coming from?” Malon asked.

“The town of Porsail.” Link answered.

“How long have you been traveling?” This time Paldnor spoke up.

“Three days ago; two of those days were rather unpleasant, but today the sun shined and warmed our cold and wet bones.” His words made Malon turn and look at Link; for the first time she noticed how damp his clothes were.

“Please, come inside and dry off, and have some tea.” She said, pulling Link’s hand. Impa raised her hand.

“I’m sorry, Malon, but we are expected at the palace.” Impa said, her tone softer than normal.

Malon nodded slightly. “Of course, but I do ask for one moment.” She said and let go of Link’s hand, and ran into a barn several feet away and while they waited Paldnor came beside Link.

“I believe I envy your childhood, my boy.” He said quietly to Link. “I may be wrong, but I do believe she has an eye for you.” Paldnor added, and Link sighed.

“I know.” Link replied, and at the moment, Malon emerged cradling three bottles.

“Please take these.” She said, handing them each a bottle. “My family has been bottling this for generations. It’s very nourishing.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve had Lon Lon milk.” Link said, taking the bottle.

“Thank you, Miss Malon.” Paldnor said, accepting his bottle.

“Thank you.” Impa said, taking her bottle. “You are in for a treat, Master Paldnor; Lon Lon milk is the best to be sure.” She added. “Now we must be going; we will see you at the celebration, Malon?” Impa asked.

“I will not miss it, Lady Impa.” Malon answered. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Master Paldnor.” She said with a smile.

“I shall see you soon, Miss Malon. Thank you again.” Palnor said with a bow and Malon return a curtsy. Link waited a moment for Paldnor and Impa to be out of earshot, and took both of Malon’s hands before speaking.

“I wish I could stay longer, Malon. But...” He started, but Malon cut in.

“Go.” She said smiling. “Someone in the palace misses you, too.” Her words made Link speechless, and he thought quickly for something to say. “Go.” She said, again softly.

“Give your father my best. I’ll see you again soon.” Link managed to say, Malon nodded. Before Link could let go of her hands, Malon quickly brought her lips to his. She let the kiss linger for only a few seconds before they separated. Malon lightly pulled her hand out of Link’s grip and smile at him as she walked away. Link stood still for a moment, his heart hurt for all the years that he missed after leaving. He watched as Malon sang Epona’s Song and the young mare ran to her; she hugged the horse around the neck and stroked her mane. Hoisting his saddle bag over his shoulder, Link pulled the cork stopper from the milk bottle with his teeth and took a long drink of the from the bottle. The warm liquid immediately lifted Link’s spirits, and he felt a rush of warmth in his body. Link smiled despite his mood, and he turned and walked to catch up to Impa and paldnor.

Link finally caught up with his companions as they were walking out of the gates to the Lon Lon Ranch. Taking a moment to drain his bottle of Lon Lon milk before falling in next to them, Link noticed another new sight while he tucked the empty bottle in the saddlebag on his shoulder. Coming from the hill that hid the gates to the city and running past the ranch was a wide cobblestone road.

“A road?” Link said aloud.

“A road.” Impa echoed. “There are hardly any monsters at night anymore. Since workers are no longer in danger work crews go further from the city and the gats do not have to be closed up at night.” She explained as they walked the road towards the city gates. Looking back over his shoulder as Lon Lon Ranch shrank in the distance Link felt uneasy, he would have like to have stayed and reminisced with Malon some, but he also felt the desire to see Zelda, a desire that pulled on his very soul. The three walked in silence for several minutes before the huge gates of Hyrule City loomed ahead of them.

“Magnificent!” Paldnor said in amazement. Looking at the large stone archway with the drawbridge lowered, Link remembered his first time seeing the huge structure and the amazement the he felt in seeing it.

“Yes it is.” Link added, patting Paldnor on the back.

“If I die now, my life would be fulfilled.” He uttered, still amazed.

“Don’t die yet, my friend. There is still much more to see.” Link said as the three continued through the enormous gate. Guards on duty immediately recognized Impa and straitened up to salute her, and she returned their salutes as they proceeded over the drawbridge and through the gates.

Upon entering, Link saw that not much here had changed; the streets of Hyrule City were alive with the activity of everyday life. Venders were scattered all throughout the boulevard selling their wares, and children played around the trees that added greenery to the stone buildings. The vast Hyrule Castle rose above the tops of the buildings, taking up the whole of the horizon, again Paldnor stood transfixed.

“It is quite a sight, Link.” He observed, before finishing his bottle of milk. “Miss Malon was right; this was good.” He said, stowing the empty bottle in his bag, then looked depressed.
“What is wrong, Paldnor?” Link asked him.

The old man’s face looked worried. “I just realized that I will be celebrating with royalty, and I have hardly anything of finery to wear.” Paldnor said, looking into his bag. “I brought the best that I have, but I fear I will look like a beggar among them.” His mood began to lift when he spotted several kiosks in the main boulevard that sold fine robes and garments. “Do you think I have a few minutes to…?” Paldnor pointed to the vendors and shook his full purse of rupees, but Impa shook her head.

“I’m sorry, Master Paldnor. We must get to the palace; I will see that you are taken care of and given the chance to visit the market. I will also have the royal tailor see you as well.” She replied, her voice stern once more.

The surprised look returned to the old man’s face upon hearing Impa’s offer. “Link, my boy, I am young again!” He said, falling in behind Impa. The old man’s good mood was contagious and Link couldn’t help but smile and as he himself stared at the palace; he could almost feel Zelda near him.

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