The Gemstone Sages
Book 1--An Ending and a Beginning
by Alexandra Spears

It was over. The seven-year odyssey had finally come to its conclusion, and Link had just helped Princess Zelda banish Ganondorf to the Evil Realm. If Link had any regrets it was that he'd been asleep in the Temple of Time from the age of ten to the age of seventeen; of course that hadn't been his fault, since he hadn't been old enough to wield the Master Sword at the age of ten.

Zelda was wanting to send Link back in time so he would once again be a ten-year-old in the Kokiri Forest. "Princess...I would really like to stay here, as a man," Link protested. He recalled feeling like the odd one out because he'd been the only Kokiri without a fairy--and that was because he was actually a Hylian, like Zelda. He didn't want to go through that. "I know that you want to make up for the trouble you put me through--but the truth is, I'd rather stay here. That would more than make up for it."

Zelda looked up at the handsome young hero, looked into his cerulean blue eyes. Here she'd thought he'd be a little upset over missing seven years of his life, and here he was saying that he wanted to remain as he was. She didn't know what to say. All she could manage was, "Really?"

"Yes, because there's a certain girl that I'm in love with...and I don't want to go back to being a child," said Link.

"Malon?" Zelda asked, smiling a little.

"What? Malon? She drives me nuts, calling me Fairy Boy. I like her okay, like a sister, but she's just not for me," said Link. "No, I'm thinking of a beautiful young woman with violet eyes and blonde hair. Know of any girls like that around here?"

"What about Ruto? She claims you're engaged," said Zelda, not believing that she could be the one Link was in love with. He was a handsome young man, he could have just about any girl he wanted.

Link laughed. "I hardly think so. To be honest I kind of wanted to leave her in Jabu-Jabu. She'll get over it. Besides, marriage is between two *consenting* adults. I'd much rather have a Hylian girl as my wife--eventually."

Zelda was trying not to laugh. She knew how Princess Ruto could be. It was Link's candidness that was making it funny. Remembering the situation, she grew serious again. "Link, you're absolutely sure you want to stay an adult?" she asked.

"Absolutely," said Link as he took her hand and kissed it, then looked into her eyes. "Zelda...I think I first fell in love with you the moment I saw you...I know we were only ten, but it was like I knew...."

"I was happy to see you too, when I first met you," Zelda told him. "And when I disguised myself as Sheik...sometimes I would just stand there beside you and watch you, watch as you matured, wondering if there would be something between us after this was all over with...." Her voice trailed off. "Link, if it means that much to you, I won't send you back," she finally said.

"I'm glad," said Link. He took Zelda's hands in his. "And would the princess like to give this young man his first kiss?"

Zelda had to smile at that. "Yes," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes as she felt his lips on hers, his hand stroking her back. "My first, too," she whispered when they parted.

Link hugged her. "I'll escort you back to the castle, my princess," he said. "Then I have to return to Kokiri Forest. By the way--who put these earrings on me?"

Zelda gave him her most mischievous grin. "I did. I think you look cute with them."

"I do too," said Link.

They held hands as they walked through the now-revived marketplace. The guard at the gate let them through, saluting as they passed.

"For once I don't have to sneak in here," said Link as they walked up the path to Hyrule Castle, which was now restored to its former glory. Only hours ago, it seemed, it had been a dark and forbidding place, inhabited by Ganondorf. And that had been when he'd only held the Triforce of Power!

"I'll see to it that you can come and go freely," Zelda told him as she led him across the drawbridge. They walked into the courtyard, which had been where they'd first met, seven years ago.

"Well, I guess it's time for me to go," Link told Zelda.

"Link?" Zelda took his hand. "Do you really want to stay in the Kokiri Forest? You're an adult now, and I'm sure you'd feel pretty out of place amongst the Kokiri children."

"I felt out of place even as a child," said Link. "No fairy."

"Hey, what about me?" asked Navi from inside his hat. She climbed out from inside his hat; she'd been napping.

"Well, for the first ten years of my life," Link amended. "You know, you don't have to be my guardian fairy anymore. I'm a Hylian, not a Kokiri."

"It's still my job," said Navi as she yawned and stretched. "No matter what you are."

"On one condition," said Link, pointing his index finger at her. "You stop screaming 'Hey!' or 'Listen!' at me every five seconds!"

Zelda looked on, chuckling to herself.

"Deal," said Navi.

"Link, I was going to ask you if you'd like to stay here...and be my protector," said Zelda.

"Really? Zelda, I'd love to," said Link. "But I do need to go to the Kokiri Forest and tell everyone, so they don't worry about me. Especially Saria...she's been like a sister to me for a long time."

"All right," said Zelda. She gently pulled Link to her and kissed his lips. "I'll be waiting for you. My hero."

"Hey!" squeaked Navi.

Link kissed Zelda, ignoring Navi, then turned to go. "What did I tell you about that, Navi?" he asked, mock-menacingly. "I'll see you later this evening, Zelda."


Once outside Hyrule Castle Town, Link played Epona's Song on his fairy ocarina, and Epona came galloping up to him minutes later. "You're in love with Zelda, aren't you?" asked Navi as she sat on his head, holding on to his unruly blond bangs.

"Yes," said Link as he mounted Epona.

"I thought Talon offered Malon as your wife seven years ago," said Navi.

"I didn't take him up on it, either, did I?" Link pointed out. "He was half-asleep anyhow. Besides, Zelda's the girl for me. There is something about Malon, though, that I just can't put my finger on. I just know that I can't marry her eventually. Besides, being called Fairy Boy gets to be a tad annoying after a while. Yes, I care about her, but not romantically."

Link slapped Epona's flank a few times and Navi held on to Link's bangs as they flew across Hyrule Field. This time Link took time out to enjoy the exhilarating ride across the field. He didn't have to save Hyrule anymore and now he was free to kick back and relax.

Finally Link left Epona outside the entrance to the Kokiri Forest. Link walked through the hollow trees and across the rope-and-plank bridge, found the village the way it should be, with the Kokiri children roaming around, going about whatever business they had. 

Link knew the way to the Sacred Forest Meadow, and he headed that way, climbing some vines and walking up some ramps to get to the entrance to the Lost Woods. He could hear the sound of Saria's ocarina and he followed the sound.

No longer were there Molblins patrolling the entrance to the meadow. The usual Mad Scrubs were there, though, and Link dispatched them like he usually did, by deflecting their deku nuts back at them. Finally he reached the steps leading up into the Sacred Forest Meadow.

The Forest Temple was there, this time with the steps in good repair. Link climbed up the steps, was almost surprised when no Wolfos came running up to attack him. "Saria?" he called as he wandered through the temple, until he came to a stream.

"Hi, Link!" said Saria, as she appeared from another room. "You know, I like being a sage, it's kinda neat," she added. She ran up and gave him a big hug.

Seven years ago Link and Saria had been the same height; now the top of her head only came up to his chest. Link hugged the girl back. "I'm going to be living at Hyrule Castle now," he told her.

"Really? That's great. I think Zelda has a thing for you," Saria giggled.

"She does. In fact...we had our first kiss today," Link said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, just like when he and Saria were children together.

Saria grinned widely. "So when's the wedding?"

"Well, I haven't asked her to marry me...yet. I want to get to know her better first," said Link.

"Good idea," said Saria. "So...will you still come visit us? The children know who you are now...who that grown-up stranger was that kept popping in. They were a little shocked but they still like you and miss you."

"Of course," said Link. "You're still my best friend. Nothing can change that."

"Here, let's sit down and talk for a while," said Saria, sitting down by the stream and pulling down on his hand.

Link sat down next to the green-haired Kokiri girl. "I still kinda miss playing games with you and the other Kokiri," he said. "Zelda did offer to send me back to being a ten-year-old...but I thought it best to leave things alone. I like being grown-up."

"I see you grew more handsome," giggled Saria. "The Great Deku Tree put me in charge of you when you were a baby. You were so cute then, I knew you'd be a cute boy. I just forgot that Hylians grew up. I knew you were a Hylian."

"What did my mother look like?"

"She was a blonde like you. I don't know her name...she came up to the Great Deku Tree, said that you were two weeks old and you were the chosen one. She didn't even give your father's name. I took you from her arms and she crawled away...that was the last I saw of her. But I do know that she loved you very much, Link."

Link sighed. "Maybe one of these days I'll find some family."

"You've got me," said Saria, giving him a light punch on his arm. "And you've got Zelda."

"You're right, I do," said Link.

Saria got up on her knees and hugged her friend. "I'll tell the rest of the Kokiri where you went. Guess you want to pack up some stuff, huh?"

"I have nothing to pack up," Link replied, hugging her in return. "Just wanted to let you know what I was up to." He tousled her hair, and she threw him a mock mean look as she straightened the dark green hairband she wore.

Saria stood up, and Link got a mischievous look in his eyes. Suddenly, he began tickling her stomach. "Link! You know I'm ticklish there!" she shrieked, laughing.

"I know," smiled Link. "Well, I'll see you later, Saria. I'll visit you from time to time, don't worry." He mussed up her hair again and she playfully chased him out of the Forest Temple.

"I'll get you back, Link. See you later!" Saria called.


When Link arrived at Hyrule Castle that evening, Zelda was waiting up for him. "I got a room ready for you, Link," she told him. "If you want you can also train as a knight."

"I'd love to, Zelda," said Link as she led him to his room.

"It's right across the corridor from mine," said Zelda as she led him up the stairs and down a corridor. She opened a door.

"Wow...this is really nice. Thanks, Zelda," said Link as he looked around. In the middle was an elegant four-postered bed. Also in the room were an armoire and a dresser. Brightly-colored rugs were on the floor. He hugged her. "I really love this, thanks!"

"I thought your treehouse might be a little cramped," Zelda said tactfully. For all she knew he might have actually loved that treehouse, so she didn't say anything negative about it.

"It was all right when I was a kid," said Link. He gave Zelda a kiss on the cheek.

"Dinner will be ready in an hour, I'll come for you and show you the way there," she said. "Make yourself at home, Link. Hyrule Castle is now your home." She kissed his cheek and patted his shoulder.

Link went inside, closed the wooden door, and sat down on his king-sized bed. It was so different from living in the forest. It was going to take some getting used to, living a different lifestyle.

He was also getting used to being an adolescent, and having the feelings of a young man. So many changes to adjust to. But he was confident that he'd be able to adapt.

Book 2--In Love

Link woke up one morning, smiling. He'd had yet another dream about Zelda. What was it with these dreams, though? They hadn't been like *this* when he was a child!

The young man sat up, yawned, and ran his hand through his unruly blond hair. Ever since he'd awakened in the Temple of Time, he'd been having dreams like this. He sure wasn't going to tell Zelda about them! No way! There was nothing wrong with his dreams--in fact they were very pleasurable--but still....

Link swung his muscular legs over the side of the bed and stood up. He looked in the full-length mirror, once again saw the consequences of sleeping with just-washed hair. He shrugged as he went into his armoire and pulled out a clean Kokiri tunic and leggings.

It had been nearly six months since Link had come to live at Hyrule Castle. Link was in training as a knight now. He trained in the mornings after breakfast, and in the evenings he and Zelda would do something fun together, such as read a book together by the huge fireplace in the sitting room. Link was a perfect gentleman when he was alone with Zelda, though he felt desires nearly all young men felt when close to a pretty girl. He'd read about that kind of thing too, in a book he'd accidentally discovered hidden in the library.

Link planned on going to the marketplace this afternoon, after lunch. He was absolutely sure that Zelda was the right girl for him; his instincts were practically screaming it at him. He'd also picked up on certain information just by listening to people whenever he was in the marketplace. Lots of times it was in the form of joking and by now Link was able to filter out the useful information.

Link stripped off his long-sleeved white nightshirt and pulled on his white leggings. He slipped his white top over his head, and over it his green Kokiri tunic. He looked in the mirror as he combed his hair, giving his unruly bangs a few flicks of the comb; he liked it when Zelda brushed them away from his face with her hand.

Navi was sleeping on his dresser in a tiny bed a toymaker had made for her. She woke up just as Link was setting his cap on his head. "Morning, Link," she said.

"Morning, Navi," Link replied as he adjusted his hat so it was just so.

"Going to the marketplace today? Hope you got enough rupees," she said as she sat up in her tiny bed.

"Got 'em all saved up in my wallet," said Link. "Navi, do you think Zelda will accept?"

"She'd be crazy not to. If I were a Hylian, I sure wouldn't pass up a sweet guy like you," Navi replied.

"Thanks, Navi," said Link. "Right now, though, I have to get downstairs for breakfast. Can't miss that!"

"Boys will be boys," chuckled Navi as she flitted off behind him.

"I'm a man!" Link said as he made his way downstairs.


Link sat across from Zelda at the breakfast table. No one was at the head of the table, as Zelda's father had been killed seven years ago, and her mother had died five years before that.

"Link, you look like you're up to something," Zelda said, studying with her pretty amethyst eyes.

"Me? Up to something?" Link asked, sounding oh-so-innocent. "Whatever made you think that, Princess?"

"Just the look in your eyes," Zelda replied as she took a sip of her tea. "And the fact that you're only eating half of what you usually eat, which says to me that you're nervous about something."

"Well, you'll find out later today," said Link. "I'm not telling you just yet, but I think you'll like it."

"I know I will," Zelda said mysteriously, smiling fondly at him.

"I should have known, never fool a girl with prophetic dreams," smiled Link. "Well, if you know what it is, then I'll confirm it for you this afternoon." He reached his hand across the table, and she took it. 

"Sounds good," said Zelda sweetly as she squeezed his hand, then released it. "I love you, Link."

"And I love you, Zelda."


Link had his training, then lunch. After lunch he and Navi went down the path to the marketplace. As usual Hyrule Castle Town's marketplace was bustling. At one counter people were haggling over prices. The smell of freshly-baked bread from a bakery hung in the air, mingling with other smells. Link inhaled this and sighed. It was so good to be able to relax now.

He entered a jewelry shop. "What can I do for you, young fellow?" asked the elderly man behind the counter.

"I'd like to look at engagement rings fit for a princess," Link replied.

"I bet this is a very special young lady," said the man as he set out a tray with several exquisite diamond rings.

"Oh, she is. Definitely. I love her more than life itself," said Link, ignoring Navi, who was pretending to run her finger down her throat at this.

"That's good," said the merchant. "You seem like a kind and caring young man...any girl would be lucky to have you."

"How much is this one?" asked Link as he picked up a gold ring with a triangular diamond.

"Two thousand rupees," the merchant replied.

"I'll take it," said Link. He had just over two thousand rupees, so he emptied his pockets of all but one hundred rupees.

"Yes, a very lucky girl indeed," said the merchant. "Bet she's as pretty as the Princess Zelda."

"She is the Princess," smiled Link.

"Well then you must be Link! Well, for the Hero of Time, a discount! Fifteen hundred rupees."

"Oh, you don't have to--"

The merchant held up his hand. "It's my thank you for saving Hyrule. Please accept."

"All right," chuckled Link. "Thank you!"

"Boy, that was lucky," said Navi. "Maybe you could have got it down to a thousand!"

"Navi--I am not going to use my status as Hero of Time to get what I want," said Link. "It's not right. He offered. Besides, I was planning on spending about two thousand and I just got lucky."

"At least you're honorable," said Navi. 

Link merely nodded, lost in thought.


Zelda was sitting on a bench in the courtyard that afternoon, waiting for Link. He should be back from the marketplace any time soon, she thought.

She watched some of the leaves fall from the trees. It was autumn. Soon winter would come. It rarely got cold enough to snow in Hyrule, but occasionally it did snow, and it looked like this would be one of those winters. Already it was getting somewhat nippy.

Suddenly she felt strong hands on her shoulders. "Cold?" asked Link's voice from behind her.

"Not anymore," replied Zelda as he sat down next to her and put his arms around her. She laid her head on his chest and he rested his chin on her head. She was wearing a short-sleeved burgundy dress, so she felt his warm hands on her arms, gently rubbing them.

Link carefully sat her up straight. He held her hands and looked into her eyes. "Zelda, I was just wondering...will you marry me?" he blurted. "I love you so very much and I want to be with you forever."

"Yes," she whispered.

Link took the little box out of a hidden pocket in his tunic and took out the gorgeous diamond ring. "Oh, Link, that is so pretty!" she exclaimed, tears of joy coming to her eyes as he slid the ring onto her left ring finger.

"I thought you'd like it because it's a symbol of the Triforce," said Link.

"You are the most thoughtful young man--!" 

Link laid his finger on her lips, gently silencing her. "I love you," he told her, just before he placed his lips on hers.

Zelda wound her arm around his neck and he held her around her waist as they kissed for several moments. When they finally parted, they were a little breathless. "We need to ease up on this before we're married or I won't be able to wait," Link said, kissing the tip of her nose.

"I understand," said Zelda. "That's one of the things I love about you, Link...you're a perfect gentleman...not to mention sensitive, and sweet...."

"I like those same things about you...well, you're not a gentleman...but a lady...." He kissed her cheek. "When do you want to get married, sweetheart?"

"I was thinking in the spring," said Zelda. "Make it symbolic...a new beginning for us...."

"That's fine," said Link. "And it gives us time for the big wedding that I know you'd want."

"The bigger the better...because it's you I'll be marrying," Zelda sighed as she leaned up against him.

Link stroked her hair and smiled. "I love you," he whispered.


The castle was immersed in a flurry of activity over the next several months, taking time out to celebrate Link's eighteenth birthday late that winter, and Zelda's eighteenth birthday early that spring; the wedding was to take place two weeks after Zelda's birthday.

"I am so nervous, Navi," Link said the morning of the wedding as he put on a white tunic and leggings. He put on a royal blue sash over his tunic.

"About today or tonight?" Navi asked as she fixed her hair.

"Both." Link neatly combed his hair.

"You keep reading those books--"

"They don't replace firsthand experience," Link pointed out. He sheated his Master Sword at his hip and took a deep breath. "Well, let's get ready. And you'll stay here at the castle while Zelda and I are on our honeymoon, Navi," he added.


Zelda was being attended by two of her chambermaids. "You look lovely, Princess," said one of them.

"Thank you, Marina," said Zelda as she gazed at herself in her full-length mirror. She had on a form-fitting, pure white wedding dress. A royal blue belt sat on her hips and on the front of the belt was the symbol of the Triforce--the crest of the kingdom of Hyrule. The dress plunged into a full skirt below the belt and had a scooped, off-the-shoulder neckline. Her long golden hair was down and a diamond tiara held her veil in place.

"Link is a handsome man, and I think you'll be happy with him, Your Highness," said Jada, the other maid.

Zelda smiled warmly. "I already know I will." She stepped into white shoes.


Link took his place at the altar at the appointed time. Rauru, the portly, balding Sage of Light, stood there, as he would be conducting the ceremony. Four of the Sages stood neaby, two on each side of the rich red rug that led to the altar. Saria stood closest to Link, and Princess Ruto, the Sage of Water, stood next to her. Opposite Saria was Impa, the Shadow Sage who was once Zelda's nursemaid, and next to her was Nabooru, the red-haired Gerudo woman who was Sage of Spirit. Darunia, the Goron King and Sage of Fire, would be escorting Zelda down the aisle as a special favor to Link, who was his Sworn Brother.

"I am so nervous," Link whispered.

"It'll be okay," Saria whispered back, smiling and squeezing his hand briefly.

The musicians began playing the wedding march, and soon Darunia appeared, Zelda on his arm. Link almost thought he would faint right then and there, Zelda was so beautiful. He couldn't speak.

As Darunia and Zelda approached, Link held out his left hand and Zelda took it with her right, smiling lovingly at him. Rauru gave a sermon on the meaning of marriage, and asked Link and Zelda to repeat their vows. They did so, and Link slid the wedding ring onto Zelda's finger, and she took her engagement ring off her right ring finger and slid it onto her left. Then she placed the wedding band on Link's finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife!" Rauru said, gesturing grandly. He'd seen many royal couples marry, and he was very pleased to be officiating at this one. "You may now kiss your bride, Link!"

"Gladly," Link whispered as he took Zelda into his arms and gave her a long, intense kiss. Cheers went up. Navi flew overhead and sprinkled fairy dust over the couple.


Immediately after the ceremony the reception took place in the ballroom. "You know, Zelda, I don't think I was this nervous fighting all those temple guardians," Link confessed.

"I know what you mean," Zelda replied. "Those years I was Sheik...."

"You just about blew me away when you revealed who you were. I had been so worried about you!" said Link as he and Zelda danced. He pulled her closer to him.

"You look so handsome in that outfit," Zelda told him as she kissed him. "So regal...."

"Well, you look like the girl of my dreams in that dress," Link said as he kissed her back.

After the song was over Link and Zelda a little break, sitting down in a couple of chairs. Suddenly Link felt a pair of hands over his eyes, heard Zelda giggling. "Saria," said Link.

"How'd you know it was me?" the Kokiri girl asked as she took her hands off his eyes and stood in front of him.

"You're the only one who's ever done that," Link replied.

"I just want to say congratulations to you two," said Saria. "Princess, he was so excited when he had his first kiss...I was the first one he told."

Zelda laughed. "I'm glad Link had such a good friend while growing up," she said.

Saria giggled. "I promised the next fast number to Darunia. Excuse me." She hugged both Link and Zelda and went to join her fellow Sage on the dance floor.

After a few more slow numbers, Link and Zelda decided that it was time to head for their honeymoon site near Lake Hylia. Outside the castle drawbridge, Link helped Zelda into a horse-drawn carriage and got in himself. "See you guys in a week!" Link called.

A crowd gathered behind the carriage and people cheered as it started off down the path. Inside the carriage Link hugged Zelda to him and kissed her passionately. "Tonight we become lovers, Zelda," he said.

"I can hardly wait," Zelda replied.


Book 3--Amethyst

Just over a year had gone by since Link and Princess Zelda were married, and they were a bit concerned that they didn't have a child--an heir--just yet.

"Link, what if there's something wrong with one of us?" asked Zelda one night. "I want to go to the Shadow Temple and see Impa. Maybe she knows of something."

"Zelda, darling, I would like children too--but if it turns out that you can't conceive, I won't love you any less," said Link as he sat up next to her in their bed. "I'm just wondering if it might be me."

"I'm not worried so much about that as having an heir to the throne," said Zelda. She sighed. "Maybe we're worrying over nothing."

"Well, we'll go to the Shadow Temple and visit Impa tomorrow," Link said, his voice calm and reassuring. He lay down and gently pulled her down with him. "Try to sleep, darling. There's nothing we can do right now, so you might as well relax...and cuddle with me."

Zelda snuggled up to her husband and put her arm around him. "I love you, Link," she mumbled.


Since Ganondorf's defeat two years ago, the Sages usually stayed within their respective temples and didn't venture out quite a lot. Impa, the Sage of Shadow, wasn't worried about Zelda so much, now that the young woman was married to Link. Link was her husband and protector, which was reassuring for Impa to know.

"What can I do for you, Zelda, Link?" Impa asked as they sat down in one of the temple's many rooms.

"Well...Link and I have been trying to have a baby and so far no luck," said Zelda.

"I think that's the problem. You're actually trying," said Impa. "I've seen this countless times before, Zelda. You and Link need to relax and just let it happen. And sometimes stress has something to do with it. Zelda, you feel pressured to provide Hyrule with an heir to the throne. Just try not to feel pressured, or feel like you have to have a baby, and chances are it'll happen."

"That's interesting," said Link. "Yes, I think Zelda has been rather tense. I think I need to get her home and give her a nice massage or something." He smiled at her.

"Thanks, Impa, I knew I could count on your advice," said Zelda as she hugged her former nursemaid.

"Anytime, Princess," Impa smiled, hugging Zelda back. She drew Link into the hug. "I'm sure you two will make excellent parents, too."


That evening, Link took special care of Zelda. He gently massaged her entire body, head to toe, and after that they got into a nice warm bubble bath together and relaxed.

"I think this is what I needed. The pressures of ruling a kingdom...and I'm not even Queen yet," said Zelda as she sipped from a goblet of wine that she sat on the edge of the huge bathtub. "Plus the pressure of having to provide a child to pass the throne on to...."

"Zelda, we're only nineteen. I'm sure we'll have kids one day. I say enjoy being alone together while it lasts," suggested Link.

"That makes sense," Zelda nodded. "How much bubble bath liquid did you put in here, anyway?" She sounded amused. The suds almost went over their heads.

"I think enough," Link snickered.

"Well, if someone barges in here, they'd have to dig to find us," Zelda laughed.

Link began playing with some of the suds. That was yet another trait Zelda loved in Link--his playfulness, his childlike qualities which he'd carried over from his seven-year sleep. He blew some suds in Zelda's direction, and she laughed and blew some back at him.

"Good clean fun," said Link. "And speaking of fun--"


Zelda woke up one morning a month later, feeling sick to her stomach. She looked over at Link, saw that he was still fast asleep. She tried lying still, hoping that the nausea would go away, but then she found herself sprinting for the bathroom and made it there just in time.

After she vomited, Zelda rinsed her mouth out and started back for the bedroom, saw Link sitting up, a concerned look on his handsome face. "Zelda, are you all right? What's wrong?" he asked.

"I'm fine now," she said. She crawled onto the bed, facing her husband. "Link...I think I might be pregnant. That's one of the signs. And I'm also two weeks late for my cycle."

"Sounds like it to me," said Link as he hopped out of bed and began getting dressed. "That'd be great, honey! Maybe we'll have a little girl with blonde hair and violet eyes like yours." He smiled, liking the idea.

"That sounds about right...," Zelda murmured under her breath, recalling a half-remembered dream.

"Well, get dressed, we'll have breakfast if you're feeling up to it, and we'll take you to see Impa. You do want her to be your midwife, right?"

"Yes," said Zelda. "Oh, I just hope it's true! I've never felt like this before...this time it's got to be true!" She got up and chose something to wear for today. It was summer and bound to be hot. "Aren't you hot in that outfit, Link?" she asked, referring to his usual Kokiri tunic.

"Actually, no. White reflects the heat and these hug my skin, which is actually cooler," Link replied.

Zelda took out a short-sleeved purple dress with a skirt that went to her knees and put it on.

"Now you look so cute in that," said Link as he combed his hair and put on his hat.

As soon as Zelda was dressed, Link took her hand and they walked into the dining room together. Link was surprised that Zelda was eating almost as much as he was; she was usually a light eater. "I think you are pregnant," said Link, sounding a bit amused. "You don't care much for sausages."

"I can't get enough today," said Zelda.

After breakfast Link and Zelda mounted Epona and headed in the direction of Kakariko Village. "I hate going through cemeteries," Zelda murmured as she passed her father's grave.

Link had his arm around her waist, and he pulled her a little tighter against him. She held on to him as he took out his fairy ocarina and played the Nocturne of Shadow to get them up onto the ledge.

"Impa, are you here?" Zelda called.

Impa emerged from another room. She gave Zelda and Link a big hug. "Do you have the symptoms?" Impa asked Zelda as she had Zelda sit down.

"Yes," Zelda replied.

Zelda submitted to a brief examination and answered some questions. "No doubt about it, you two are going to have a baby!" Impa told them. "Zelda is entering her second month now. By spring you'll be parents."

Link went over and hugged Zelda. "See, Zelda, there was nothing to worry about, was there?"


Link was fascinated by Zelda's pregnancy, as he'd never really been around pregnant women. At the beginning of her fourth month her pregnancy started showing and she stopped having morning sickness. She felt great during this time and was almost insatiable in bed, despite Link's insistence that they be careful.

That winter was yet another cold, snowy one. Zelda was sitting in the den in front of the fire, knitting a baby blanket for her child. It was a pretty one she was knitting; it was pink and purple.

Link came into the room, carrying a cup of hot chocolate. "Here you go, my princess," he said as he kissed her cheek.

"Thanks, sweetie," said Zelda. She winced.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I just felt the baby kicking," she replied. "Here...see if you can feel it." She took his hand and placed it on her belly.

"Yeah...I do," said Link, looking rather awed. "Hard to believe...we created that little life...."

"What do you think of this blanket?" Zelda asked after a few moments.

"Looks really good. But what if it's a boy?"

"We're having a girl," said Zelda. "I dreamed about it last night. A girl with blonde hair and violet eyes--like you wanted." She smiled at her husband. 

Link pulled another chair over and sat down next to Zelda. "Anything else about our daughter-to-be?" he asked.

Zelda looked at him and smiled. "She's meant for something special...but the dream didn't say what."


Shortly after Link and Zelda's second wedding anniversary Zelda went into labor. Impa had been staying at the castle the past week, waiting for Zelda's child to be born.

"Impa, I think Zelda's in a lot of pain," said Link anxiously as he sat next to his and Zelda's bed, where Zelda was lying.

"Link, this is normal. The first birthing is usually the hardest," Impa explained.

Zelda clutched Link's hand. Link kissed her hand and stroked her forehead. "It's okay, Zelda, everything's going to be fine," he said soothingly.

Zelda was in labor all night, and early in the morning she finally gave birth to her and Link's daughter. "I have the child--a girl!" Impa called over the baby's loud cries. "And she sounds like a healthy one!"

Zelda flopped back on her pillows and gave a sigh of relief. She looked over at Link, who was smiling at her. "You did it," he told her. "And you're right, it is a girl. If she has your eyes let's call her Amethyst."

Impa gently placed the baby in Zelda's waiting arms. "She has eyes like yours, Zelda," said Impa.

"Then this is Princess Amethyst," said Zelda.

Link moved the blanket away from the baby's face and peered at his newborn daughter. "She's so little," he said, awed.

"She looks a lot like you, Link," said Zelda. "But she does have my eyes."


Zelda was feeling up to it, so later that day Hyrule was in celebration. A new heir to the throne--provided Link and Zelda didn't have any sons--had just been born.

Navi, who slept elsewhere in the castle since Link and Zelda's marriage, sat on top of the bassinet. She peered at the baby girl who lay in it. "She's such a sweet-looking baby," said the little fairy.

Link and Zelda stood on either side of their daughter's bassinet, waiting for the receiving line. After that the party would begin. "Are you feeling all right, Zelda?" Link whispered.

"I'm fine...just a little achy, but I'm all right," Zelda replied. "I had a nap today, so I should be all right."

Link and Zelda had appointed Saria as Amethyst's godmother. The little Kokiri girl stepped up to the bassinet to see her. "Oh, she's so sweet," Saria breathed. "She looks a lot like Link when he was a baby...but she definitely has Zelda's eyes." Saria hugged Link and Zelda. "Congratulations!"

After the line had gone through, Rauru, the Sage of Light, put in an appearance. "The first of the Gemstone Sages has been born," he announced. "As was foretold. This child is the Amethyst Sage."

"Oh wow," Link murmured. Zelda had dreamed about something like this....

"I now present to Princess Amethyst of Hyrule...her amethyst sage medallion. She will have the power to heal, much like her mother, who is Hyrule's Seventh Sage." Rauru gently placed the medallion in the bassinet with the baby.

"Oh, Rauru...she is meant for a special destiny?" asked Zelda.

"Yes, but I can't reveal what it is until she's matured," replied Rauru. "There are two more yet to be born--the sages of Sapphire and Ruby. They will be this child's friends, and I will let you know when they have been born."

The crowd was silent for a while, as Rauru's words sank in. Then slowly the party came back to life.

Link gently picked up his newborn daughter and kissed her forehead, Zelda looking on. He wondered what the future held for his firstborn child.

Book 5-A Secret at Lon Lon Ranch

It was a lovely spring day, and Malon was tending to the horses at the ranch she and her father, Talon, owned. Just a week ago her friend Link had invited her to the castle to see his and Zelda's newborn daughter, Princess Amethyst. Malon had gotten dressed in her best and gone to see the baby along with lots of other people.

Malon loved Link and she kept asking herself--was she in love with him or did she just love him as a friend? Neither really seemed to be right. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the romantic idea. He was married and off limits. Still, there was something about him, something she could not put her finger on.

She felt sorry for him. His mother had died when he was a baby, right after she'd asked the Great Deku Tree to look after him. She hadn't said who Link's father was. Link had grown to the age of ten amongst the Kokiri forest children, and then he'd begun his adventure, fighting against the evil Ganondorf. Malon was happy that she'd been able to help him on his quest. He'd been a nice, sensitive little boy, only two years older than she. He was twenty now, and she was eighteen.

Malon pushed a lock of her red hair back from her face as she began milking one of the cows. Lon Lon Ranch boasted the best milk in Hyrule, and Talon regularly delivered milk to the castle.

As she milked the cow, she started thinking. Thirteen years ago today her mother had died. She'd been a beautiful woman. Malon had inherited her red hair from her, and her singing talent. 

The door to the stable opened, and in came Talon. "You look so much like your mother at that age," he said. "Dead thirteen years ago...went through that once before, before I met and married your mother."

Malon jerked her head up. "What do you mean, Daddy?" she asked.

"I never told ya--I've been widowed twice," he replied as he took up a pitchfork and held it, just looking at it. "I was married to this beautiful blonde lady, name of Alina. She died twenty years ago, during that civil war. A year after she died I met and married your mother, and had you."

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Malon asked.

"Din't see no sense in it," he said. "Why should you mourn for a woman that wasn't your momma?"

"Did you have any children with her?" Malon asked.

Talon set the pitchfork back against the wall. "Yeah...a son...he had her blond hair. But I hear he died with her. He was only two weeks old."

"What was his name?"

"Link."

Malon stood up. "Daddy--are you telling me that I had a half-brother named Link?"

"Exactly what I'm sayin'. He's dead now, been dead twenty years." 

"Are you sure he's dead?"

"Yes I'm sure," he said harshly. "You're the only child I have, Malon." He picked up the pitchfork and began working. Apparently the discussion was over.


That night Malon had trouble falling asleep. She had a friend named Link who had blond hair and who was twenty years old. His mother had died when he was a baby.

Maybe it was just a coincidence. But how many blond boys named Link lost their mother during their infancy--and all within the same period of time? Link didn't even know his mother's name--she'd asked him once--only that she'd been a blonde.

This was certainly new to her, her father having been married to another woman before he was married to her mother. If that woman hadn't died, Malon wouldn't have been born. 

In his bed across the room, her father was snoring loudly, making it even harder for her to sleep. Well, at least he was here at home, rather than sleeping outside the castle or bunking out in Kakariko Village.

Malon sat up in bed and quickly got dressed. She quietly opened the door and headed down the steps. Her father's Cuccos were all sleeping in one corner.

She sat down on a crate, facing the side of the steps, and tried to think. There was no trace of her mother's things or even of Alina's things upstairs; Malon knew the entire room like the back of her hand. But surely her father had held on to something.

Once Link had told her that he'd learned something on his adventures--look at everything, it could get you somewhere. For some reason she couldn't get Link out of her head. Maybe her father did have mementos. If he did he'd hidden them well. He tended to be a private man, so it didn't really surprise her that he'd never mentioned his first wife until now. And even then he'd accidentally let that slip--after twenty years.

Malon gazed at the side of the staircase. The side of the big bottom step looked like it had nails driven in it. She'd always known that there were nails in it; probably her paternal grandfather, who'd built this ranch, had used a different piece of wood for the side of that particular step. 

But why was this particular step so big? As a small child Malon had had to become adept at climbing up onto it before proceeding up the stairs.

Malon knelt in front of it, feeling rather silly. There was no way for her to pry the panel loose with her fingers, as it was flush with the rest of the paneling. She sighed. She might as well go to sleep for now and wait until her father made a delivery in the morning.


That morning, before Talon left, Malon asked him, "Do you remember my friend Link?"

"Yeah, what about him?"

"Do you think he could possibly be your son--and my brother? He's twenty years old."

"So? There are plenty of twenty-year-old boys named Link," said Talon, shrugging off her question. "My first wife died, and she had our newborn son with her. There's no question that my son is dead. Someone found her body in the Lost Woods and she's buried in the graveyard near Kakariko, but they never found my son. Now I have to go, Malon, or this delivery will be late." He hugged his daughter.

"Funny how I don't know any other twenty-year-olds named Link. But maybe he's afraid of being disappointed if it isn't him," Malon said to herself. "Maybe I should try to get some proof first before I bother him with it again. It could be an amazing coincidence. But how many women with babies named Link die in the Lost Woods?"

She gave a frustrated sigh. There was no point in asking Ingo; he was busy and he'd been hired shortly before Malon's mother's death. He wouldn't know anything. Besides, he was busy in the keep across the ranch, putting bottles of Lon Lon milk into crates for delivery.


After lunch, Malon was standing and watching her horses when she heard a familiar sound. Turning, she saw Link riding in on Epona, who had been Malon's favorite horse. "Hi, Link!" she said brightly.

"Hello, Malon. Thought Epona could use some exercise," he said, dismounting.

"How are Zelda and the baby?" she asked.

"Oh, just fine. Zelda's walking around the castle grounds with Amethyst," said Link. "She's a good baby--she only cries when she needs something."

"Link, how much do you think about your mother and father?" Malon asked.

"Now what brought this on?" asked Link. "I don't know who my father was and my mother never gave her name--she was just bent on making sure I was safe."

"I found out that my father was married to a blonde woman named Alina before he met and married my mother," said Malon. "Alina died twenty years ago--and she and my father had a son named Link."

Link studied his friend. He had seen similarities in his features and Malon's, but he'd passed that off as knowing that he and Malon were both Hylians; Link had once thought that he was a Kokiri--and the odd one out. "How old would this son have been?" he asked.

"Twenty. Do you know your true birthdate?"

"Yes...my mother had told the Great Deku Tree that I was exactly two weeks old and that I was the chosen one. Twenty, eh...? So you're saying we may be brother and sister?"

"Yes...as strange as it sounds," said Malon. "But my father won't give me any more information. He's convinced that his son died along with his first wife--and maybe he did. And I'm wondering if you can help me."

"You've got me curious. It would be nice if I knew I had family somewhere. Okay," said Link. "What do I do?"

Malon led him into the house. "I wonder if there's something underneath that step," she said, showing him the panel. "I know, it looks like an ordinary step...."

"One thing I've learned, Malon--things are not always what they seem," said Link. He studied the panel. He knocked on it, found that it was hollow. 

"So how do we open it?" Malon asked. "I just want to know if there's anything in it. It's shut up pretty tightly if there is something."

"I could use my Megaton Hammer," said Link. "Of course I'd help repair the step."

Malon nodded her consent. Link pulled out the hammer. "Stand back."

Malon backed away and Link swung the hammer and smashed the panel in. "Hey--look at this!" he said as he put the hammer away and got down on his knees. "A treasure chest!"

"I knew it!" said Malon. "Let's open it!"

Link pulled the chest out and Malon opened it. "Here's a picture of my mother," said Malon. "And some letters." She dug around and pulled out a picture of a blonde woman who bore a striking resemblance to Link.

Link stared at the picture. He hadn't known what his mother had looked like. He wondered if the woman in the picture was his mother. 

"My father's father, Falon, was an artist," said Malon. "He painted those pictures of my mother and Dad's first wife--there's his signature at the bottom." She smiled. "He even painted a few of me before he died when I was six." She noticed something at the bottom. "Look--this says 'My son Talon's wife Alina.'"

Link continued to stare. "I think we should make a trip into the Lost Woods," he said slowly. "Saria is the one who looked after me until she felt I was old enough to have my own treehouse. She's my best friend and she was like a mother to me."

"Did she even see your mother?" Malon asked.

"Yes...Mother was really weak and half-dead when the Great Deku Tree summoned Saria," said Link. "Saria took me from my mother's arms and she and the Great Deku Tree promised her that I would be taken care of."

"Well, shall we go? I think Saria will be the one to tell us once and for all if we're related or not," said Malon as she grabbed the portrait and made for the door.

"I have a better way there," said Link. "Better than wandering through the Sacred Forest Meadow and being attacked by Deku Scrubs. They spit Deku nuts at you." He took out his ocarina. "Hold on to me," he said.

Malon held on to Link's arm and he put the ocarina to his lips and played the Minuet of Forest.


The next thing Malon knew she and Link were in the Sacred Forest Meadow. They were standing on a platform that bore the symbol of the Triforce.

A green-haired girl was sitting on a stump, playing an ocarina. She looked up. "Link!" she said as she stood up.

Malon let go of Link's arm. "Are you Saria?" she asked.

"Yes. And you must be Malon," replied the Kokiri girl. "What brings you two here?"

Link took the portrait from Malon. "Saria--is this someone you know?" he asked.

Saria stared at the portrait and gasped. "Link--that is your mother!" she exclaimed.

"I think I know who my father is now," said Link. "Malon's father Talon. Which would make me and Malon half-brother and half-sister."

Saria studied Link and Malon. She nodded. "You do have the same eyes," she said. She hugged Link. "Oh, I'm so glad you found family! A father and a sister."

Malon threw her arms around her brother's neck. That was what she'd sensed about Link all this time--that she was his sister. "I found my brother," said Malon happily.

"Saria, thanks for your help," said Link as he kissed Saria's forehead in a brotherly way. "I'm just glad you were there with my mother."

"My goddaughter Amethyst has an aunt," Saria said.

"Oh, that's right!" said Malon. "Amethyst is my niece! Dad is a grandfather!"

"Let's go wait up for your--our--father and tell him the news," said Link as he led Malon out of the Sacred Forest Meadow. "Unfortunately my ocarina won't warp us back to the ranch--but getting out of here is easier than getting in."

Malon followed Link as he climbed up a ladder and walked along the top of the maze. "What are those, Link?" Malon asked as she pointed to something spitting a Deku nut.

"Those Scrubs I told you about," he said. "And those nuts really hurt, the way they shoot them!"

Finally they made their way through the Lost Woods and into the Kokiri Forest. "So this is where my brother was all this time!" Malon giggled.

Link led Malon to his old treehouse. "Hey, I like this," she said. "It's too bad we didn't grow up together here. I bet we would have had fun."

"And be known as the two Kokiri without fairies," Link smirked.

They made their way down the ladder and ran into Mido, the Kokiri leader. "Link--who is that stranger you've brought here?" he demanded.

"Mido, this is my younger sister Malon," said Link. "We were visiting Saria."

"Let me know before you bring anymore long-lost relatives in here," said Mido. He turned to walk away.

"We love you too, Mido," said Malon, giggling.

He turned. "Huh?"

Link and Malon just laughed, and the Kokiri turned around and stalked away.

Link led Malon to the hollow log that led out of the Kokiri village. They crossed a rope-and-plank bridge and went through another hollow tree and found themselves in Hyrule Field. Link used his ocarina to call for Epona, and they mounted her and rode back to the ranch.


Not long after Link and Malon arrived back at the ranch, Talon came back from his delivery. "Hi, Dad," said Link.

Talon looked at the young man. "Dad? Malon, what are you doing?" he asked.

"This was your first wife, the one who gave you a son, wasn't she?" asked Malon as she showed him the portrait.

"Yes, that was Alina," said Talon.

"Well, Link too me to the Sacred Forest Meadow to see Saria, the Kokiri girl who raised him," said Malon. "She said that the picture is of Link's mother. Alina made it to the Great Deku Tree in the Lost Woods with Link. Saria took Link from her arms as she lay dying and promised her that he would be taken care of. And now he's standing here next to me. My half-brother."

Talon took a good look at the young man. "Link--my little boy Link?" he murmured. "I was so sure that my son was dead...and I wasn't paying attention to what my daughter was telling me...." He shook his head. "Malon had always wanted a brother or sister and I didn't want to feel that pain again...and now there's proof that you are indeed my son...and now that I look, I see you have my eyes--but your mother's hair...."

Talon gave Link a bear hug. "My boy! My son and Alina's...."

Tears came to Link's eyes. Talon drew Malon into the hug. "My two children," he said.

"You're a grandfather too, Dad," said Link.

Talon looked at Malon.

"No--no--Dad, remember, I just became a father," said Link. "My wife Zelda and I had a daughter last week, Princess Amethyst."

"She's a sweet baby, Daddy," said Malon.

"You know what, it's almost time for me to go home for dinner," said Link. "Dad, bring Malon to the castle in a few hours. I want to surprise Zelda with this."

"All right--Son," said Talon, patting Link's shoulder.


"Link, you seem especially happy tonight, my husband," said Zelda as they had dinner together.

"I have a surprise for you and Amethyst," said Link. "And it was a surprise to me, I only found out today."

"Found out what?" asked Zelda.

Link decided to tell her part of it. "Well, I found out that I have a father and a half-sister," said Link. "But who they are is the surprise."

"Link, that's wonderful!" said Zelda. "Now who are they?"

"That's the surprise," Link laughed. "After dinner, my dear."

After dinner, Link and Zelda went outside, Link holding their daughter in his arms. Link looked around, saw his father and sister approaching them. "Zelda--meet your father-in-law and sister-in-law, Talon and Malon!" he said.

"I always wanted a sister!" Zelda said as she hugged Malon. "Well--welcome to the family!"

"So this is the pretty girl my son married--Your Highness," said Talon.

"Please--call me Zelda."

"Here's your granddaughter Amethyst," said Link.

Talon held the baby in his arms. "Oh, what a pretty little girl!" he laughed.

"Please, come in," said Zelda to Link's father and sister. "It's funny--Link and I knew you for a while but had no idea you were related! This is certainly a surprise!"


"Well, let me tell what happened twenty years ago," said Talon as he and his family all sat around in the den. Malon was cradling her little niece in her arms. "I had married a beautiful blonde girl who used to live here in town, Alina, daughter of an old Hylian knight. At that time the civil wars were still going on, and I took her to my father's ranch to live. I thought we'd be safe there.

"We'd been married barely a year when Alina gave birth to Link. At that time the Gerudo thieves were attacking the Hylians--it was pretty much a free-for-all during those years. Alina was afraid. She'd been having dreams that our son was meant for something, though she didn't know what. An army of Gerudo women was advancing towards the ranch, and Alina was convinced that they were after our son, though I didn't see any reason why they would be. I kept telling her we were safe--so she fled in the middle of the night, leaving me a note that she'd return when she thought things had calmed down That was the last I ever saw of her."

"Gerudos...," Zelda said thoughtfully. "And Link was predestined to be the Hero of Time. I wonder if Ganondorf knew. He was once the King of Gerudos--he probably ordered the Gerudos to attack the ranch and kidnap Link."

"I'm surprised he didn't seem to recognize me back when you and I were ten and you and Impa were fleeing the castle," Link told Zelda. "But I think he suspected--and his suspicion was confirmed when he followed me to the Temple of Time."

"I searched for Alina and a couple days later I found her body near the Lost Woods," said Talon. "But I couldn't find my son anywhere."

"Saria told me that after she took me into her arms, my mother crawled away," said Link. "Saria took me to her house and she looked after me. She became my best friend."

"When I came out of the Woods carrying Alina's body, I ran into the Gerudos," Talon recalled. "They saw that she was dead, likely assumed that Link had died with her, and they retreated. Thought that was the craziest thing." He looked at Link. "Well, I'm glad I finally found my son. Actually I'd found him ten years ago but didn't know it, when he come wake me up with that Cucco. You know, Link, you look so much like your mother. She woulda been proud of ya--I know I am."

"I think Saria sensed that Link was special," said Zelda. "You know, she is the Forest Sage. And she did a good job of bringing up Link."

For a while they sat there, Link and his father and sister catching up. It all made sense now. All the pieces of the puzzle were in place.

Finally it was time for Talon and Malon to go home. Malon placed her sleeping niece in Zelda's arms. "I'll see you later, sister," said Malon as she hugged Zelda. "And you, brother," she added, hugging Link.

"Good to see my boy's grown into a good man," said Talon as he hugged Link. He and Malon left.

"I'm so happy for you, Link," said Zelda as they sat on the couch together and cuddled up and held their daughter. She kissed his lips. "And our daughter has more family."


Just before Malon went to bed that night, she stood and watched the horses. Now she knew why she felt love for Link. All along she'd sensed their relationship. She'd always thought of him as a brother, and it turned out he was her brother.

Her father seemed happier too, more energetic. He hugged her good-night as she went upstairs to bed.

"Well, Daddy, looks like I have that brother I always wanted," smiled Malon. "Good night."

Book 5 - Disaster at the Ranch


"Ingo, kindly leave me alone!" the red-haired girl snapped as she pushed the drunken farmhand away from her.

"Aw c'mon Malon...we never--*hic*--never got a chance to do it," Ingo slurred.

"And you're not going to," Malon retorted. "Now I'm giving you a last warning--either you get up there and sleep it off, or I'm having my father fire you!" She pointed to the stairs, her arm straight out.

Ingo stumbled up the steps. Malon sighed. She was going to have to talk to her father about this guy. She wondered where he was. Supposedly he was on a milk delivery in Kakariko Village and she hoped he didn't fall asleep again. Maybe he was visiting her brother Link in Hyrule Castle.

Malon didn't feel safe in her own home. Ingo had never really done anything to her...but when he was drunk the way he was--and on that Goron ale!--anything might happen. She straightened out her yellow scarf and smoothed out her pink skirt. She was eighteen and old enough to be married. She hoped she found someone soon just so she could get out of here--or at least have a man around. Who knew what might have happened three years ago if Link hadn't helped wrest control of the ranch from Ingo? She wondered if she should go to him. He was married now, to Princess Zelda, and had a three-month-old daughter.

Talon, Malon and Link's father, seemed to fall for Ingo's goody-two-shoes act. Malon personally thought it was too abrupt of a turnaround and still did not trust Ingo. He'd been too much of a louse for too long to change so quickly.

Malon tried not to dwell on it as she went outside and petted the horses. She'd always been so good with horses, and her favorite, Epona, was safe with her brother. "I just wish I could run from here," she murmured sadly.


That night, Malon's father was home asleep in his bed. Ingo was still wandering around, drunk off his ass. Talon was a deep sleeper and with the mood Ingo was in, Malon did not want to hang around.

Malon mounted a horse, and as she looked behind her, she could see Ingo teetering around with a lantern. He always did that. Fortunately the lantern had metal bars surrounding the glass, so even if he did trip on something the glass wouldn't break unless hit on the edge of something--and even that wasn't too likely. She didn't bother to tell him where she was going, and he didn't even notice when she led the horse out of the ranch and onto Hyrule Field.

"Easy, it's okay," Malon told her steed as she patted his mane. She steered the horse in the direction of Hyrule Castle.


Link and Zelda were in the sitting room with their daughter Amethyst. Zelda was quietly singing her lullaby to the baby to get her to sleep. Finally the little girl dozed off.

"Time to put this little sweetheart to bed," said Zelda as she stood up.

Link and Zelda were just leaving the room when a guard came up to them. "Your Highness. A Malon to see her brother Link."

"At this time of night?" Zelda asked, wondering what this was about.

"Show her in," said Link.

The guard came back, escorting Malon. "Link, you have to help me," she said, her voice sounding desperate.

"Zelda, would you please put Amethyst to bed? I want to speak with my sister," said Link.

Zelda gave Link a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be right back."

Link led Malon into the sitting room. "Malon, what's wrong, Sis?"

"It--it's Ingo. He's been getting worse lately. I mean he's drunk almost constantly now and I'm so afraid he'll--do something to me. Link, you have to help me, please! Dad trusts Ingo and doesn't seem to believe me."

Link had Malon sit down on a couch and he put a blanket around her shoulders. "I never did trust that guy," he said. "And Dad's asleep all the time and probably doesn't know what's going on. Tell you what, Malon. Let's see if you can spend the night here and tomorrow I'll take you home and talk to Dad about Ingo."

"I'm too afraid even to go asleep when he's around," Malon sobbed, burying her face in her hands. Link put his arms around his sister and stroked her hair gently.

Moments later Zelda came into the room. "Link, what's wrong with Malon?" she asked.

"Ingo's been bothering her--or trying to," said Link. "I was just telling her that I'll take her home tomorrow and talk to our father about him."

"I'll get a room fixed up for Malon," said Zelda.

"Oh, thanks, Zelda, you're so much like a sister to me," said Malon.

"I don't like or trust that Ingo either," said Zelda as she got up to tell a maid to get a guest room ready for Malon.

When she got back Zelda handed her sister-in-law a handkerchief and helped her to her feet. "I'm going to take Malon to her room, Link," she said. "It's okay, Malon, we'll help you."

Link hugged Malon. "Go with Zelda, get some sleep," said Link.

Malon followed Zelda to a guest room. "Here, you'll sleep here tonight, Malon," Zelda said kindly as the younger girl stepped into the room.

"Thank you so much, Zelda, you're such a good friend," said Malon.

"There should be some nightgowns in the drawer," Zelda told her. "We'll get this situation taken care of. Even if you have to remain here for a while so Ingo can't harm you. You're family as well as a friend." Zelda hugged her, then quietly left the room.

Malon changed into a pink nightgown and got into bed. She found that she was sleeping in a huge four-postered bed, and it was really quite comfortable. Soon she drifted off to sleep, glad that someone would help her.


Malon was suddenly awakened by a commotion in the castle. She put on a robe she found in a closet and stepped into the corridor. "What's going on?" she asked sleepily. Surely things were usually quiet at night over here--!

"Oh dear, the house at Lon Lon Ranch is on fire!" said a maid who'd heard her. "The guards and Link have gone to help!"

Malon stood there for a second while it registered. Then she hastily found a pair of slippers and began running for the castle's entrance. On the way she ran into her sister-in-law Zelda. 

"Malon! It's all right. Link and the guards have gone to help your father," Zelda told her. "There's nothing you can do."

"Zelda, he's in danger, I have to try to help him! He's my father!"

"Malon, he's Link's father too, I'm sure Link will do his best," said Zelda, trying to calm the hysterical girl.

"Please, Zelda, let me go!" Malon cried as she broke free from the other girl's arms and ran out of the castle.

Malon ran as fast as she could down the path that led to Lon Lon Ranch. Even from the marketplace she could see the fire. "Daddy!" she sobbed as she continued to run, even with a stitch in her side. As she came up to the ranch she could see a line of people from the riverbank to the ranch, passing along buckets of water as fast as they possibly could. Word had even reached Zora's Domain and several Zoras were there too, trying to help.

"Where's Link? Where's my brother?" Malon cried.

"He went to save your father and Ingo. So far we haven't seen him," said a guard.

"I have to help them!" Malon cried.

The young guard held her back. "Just calm down--Malon, is it? Your brother is a very capable young man. He should be fine."

Malon stood there crying and the guard hugged her. "Everything will be fine," he repeated. His voice was enough to calm her down.

"Look, there's Link!" someone called.

Link was emerging from the flaming ranch house, dragging Talon with him. "Come on, Dad," he was saying, sounding like he was trying not to cry.

The guard let go of Malon and she sprinted over to her brother and father. "Link...is he...? Where's Ingo?"

Link looked up from where he was lying Talon on the ground, saw his sister. "Ingo's dead, he was burned up--you don't want to go in there," he told her. "He was holding a broken lantern in his hand." He coughed.

"Daddy, can you hear me?" Malon asked, shaking Talon.

"Malon...our father is dead...he was dead when I got there," Link said quietly.

The two half-siblings hugged each other and cried for a while. "I'm sorry I couldn't get to him in time," Link whispered as the villagers finally put out the flames.

"It was that Ingo. When I left the ranch tonight I saw him wobbling around with a lantern, but I'm so used to him doing that...oh, Link, it's my fault! I should have taken that lantern from him!"

"Sounds to me like you would have died too if you'd stayed there tonight," said Link. "Ingo must have tripped and set the house on fire." He helped Malon to her feet. "You can stay with me and Zelda as long as you like."

Malon nodded, still crying. She was an orphan now...but at least she had a brother.


It was probably four in the morning when Link helped Malon into the castle. He led her to her room and went to find Zelda.

Zelda was in the nursery holding the baby in her arms, nervously pacing. "Link!" she said happily as she quickly but carefully placed the baby in the crib and ran to hug him.

"My father's dead," said Link dully. "I couldn't get to him in time."

"Oh, Link...." Zelda hugged Link tightly.

"I--I only found out a couple months ago I had a father...and now he's gone...." Link could not stop himself from breaking down and crying. Zelda just held him. "I wanted to get to know him better...find out more about my mother...."

"I know what it's like to lose parents," Zelda whispered as she hugged him. "I know what you're going through, Link."

Zelda led him into their room. She went into their bathroom and drew him a warm bath. "Come on, Link, let's get these clothes off you," she said. She'd had only Impa to comfort her after her own father's death. Now she had to be strong for Link, who'd just lost his father.

Link took his clothes off and lowered himself into the bathtub. "It was Ingo...he had a lit lantern and apparently he'd tripped," he told Zelda. "Malon didn't think anything of it when she came here, trying to get away from him. She thinks it's her fault."

"Poor girl," said Zelda.

Link wiped the tears from his eyes with a dry part of his arm. "You'd think that even drunk, Ingo might have been able to do something to keep the fire from spreading once he'd tripped."

"Or did he want to?" Zelda put in. She sighed. "We'll never know, I suppose."

"Some of the guards think it might have happened sometime after midnight. If Malon had been sleeping there, she most likely would have died in that fire."

"Malon is welcome here any time she wants," said Zelda. "What all needs to be rebuilt?"

"Just the house," Link replied. "The rest of the ranch is safe."

"I'm just glad you're safe. Malon ran out of here, worried about you--and your father. I was worried too but there was really nothing I could do."

"Ingo was burned up...not a pretty sight," sighed Link, shuddering a little as he remembered seeing the blackened corpse holding the remnants of a lantern. "I guess Dad--was overcome by smoke."


Late the next afternoon Link rode Epona to the Kokiri Forest. He wanted to be alone, and Zelda understood that.

Link wandered through the little village and went into the entrance to the Lost Woods. He wanted to talk to Saria.

He found Saria in the Sacred Forest Meadow, playing her ocarina. "Link! What brings you here?" she asked. She hugged him. "What's wrong?"

Link sat down next to the stump Saria was sitting on. "There was a fire at Lon Lon Ranch last night and my father died," he said, looking down at the ground. "I mean, here I am, the Hero of Time, I saved Hyrule--and I couldn't even save my own father!"

"Oh, Link...," Saria murmured. "I'm so sorry to hear that."

"I just feel like a failure...my mother died because I was the chosen one. My father died because I wasn't there in time. What's going to happen to my sister--or my wife or my daughter because of me?" Angry tears streamed down the young man's cheeks. "Maybe Mido's right. Maybe I did do something to the Great Deku Tree."

"No, you did not!" said Saria firmly. "Link, stop blaming yourself. Are you going to blame yourself for the people that died during the seven years you were asleep? Hyrule was a complete disaster during that time. Maybe you couldn't save everyone's life, but you helped prevent more from suffering. And it's not your fault your parents died, Link."

"If I was there sooner--"

"Link, what exactly happened?"

"I was awakened by some guards saying that Lon Lon Ranch was on fire and I hurried up, got dressed as quickly as I could, and jumped on Epona and hurried over there," said Link. "I had a hard time getting to my father, there were so many flames and everything...I worked as quickly as I could, and I saw Ingo's body there...."

"Link...he was probably already dead while you were on the way there," Saria told him. "It's just one of those things that you can't do anything about. Even if you are the Hero of Time."

"One thing I'm afraid of...is the same thing will happen to my daughter. I'm so afraid something will happen to me and Zelda and Amethyst will be an orphan," said Link. "I'll make sure nothing does happen."

"All you can do is your best," said Saria. "You're not perfect, Link. No one is."

"Thanks for talking to me, Saria," said Link, sounding almost like the child she used to know.

"Someone has to put some sense into your head," said Saria as she stood up and hugged him. "How's Malon?"

"She doesn't blame me--she blames herself. She knew Ingo was staggering around drunk with a lit lantern. He was coming on to her and she decided to come to the castle that night so he'd leave her alone. She thinks she should have known something like this would happen."

"Oh wow," Saria murmured. "But even if he was drunk...."

"That's what Zelda's wondering," said Link. "If he could have done that on purpose. Guess we'll never know." He thought about that. The lantern he'd seen Ingo with.... "Saria, I have to get back to the castle. I have to find Malon!"

Saria looked after him as he ran off, wondering what had just come into his mind.


"Malon, I have reason to believe that Ingo set the fire on purpose," said Link back at the castle. Malon was having a talk with Zelda. "I'm going to go to the ranch house and look around."

"Be careful, Link," said Zelda.

Link kissed Zelda's lips and gave his baby girl a kiss on her forehead. "I will."

Link and Malon mounted Epona and took off for Lon Lon Ranch. Malon had been to the ranch earlier to take care of the animals. "I never went into the house," she said as they rode.

Once inside the ranch, the two siblings dismounted. Link carefully made his way into the house. He picked up the lantern he'd seen Ingo with; Ingo's body had since been removed. "Look at this. Even if he'd tripped it wouldn't have set anything on fire," said Link.

"I know--but I wasn't even thinking about that!" exclaimed Malon. "But how did the glass get broken?"

"Probably from the fire," Link replied.

"I bet Ingo did do it. I've heard him mutter about how would we like it if he set the ranch on fire. We have no proof but I bet he did do it."

"But now you know it wasn't your fault," said Link.

"Or yours," added Malon. "I never thought it was your fault." She shuddered. "If I'd been in here sleeping...I would have been dead right now!"


The funeral for Talon was held two days later in Kakariko Village. Link had his arms around the shoulders of his wife and sister, while Zelda held baby Amethyst in her arms. Several Kakariko Village residents attended, as they'd known and liked Talon.

The same palace guard that had comforted Malon the night of the fire came up to her. "Are you going to be all right, Malon?" he asked.

"Yes...I think so...I'll just miss him so much," Malon wept.

"I'm Jordan...I'm the guard that was there at the fire, remember?" he said.

"Yes, I remember," said Malon.

Jordan stood next to her as Rauru performed the ceremony at the gravesite. "And so we bid farewell to you, Talon, father of Link and of Malon. May you rest in peace."

The mourners silently filed out of the cemetery and into Kakariko Village. "Would you like me to escort you home, Malon?" Jordan asked.

"I'm going to the castle," Malon replied. "But yes, if you'd like. Thank you."

Link nodded and patted Malon on her shoulder. "Zelda and I will be there shortly."

"I think Jordan likes her," said Zelda approvingly. "Not exactly the circumstances under which to meet, though...."

Link sighed and gently lifted his baby into his arms. "I'm sure gonna miss him, Zel. But at least I got to actually know who my father was, and talk to him before he died."

"And you'll always have my support," Zelda promised. "You're not alone, Link."

Carrying the sleeping baby in one arm, Link took Zelda's hand and they walked home together.

Book 6 - Sapphires, Rubies, and Diamonds


*Author's Note* I'm trying to feature Malon as much as possible, I know there are Malon fans out there. However, I made her Link's half-sister on purpose; for details on that read book 4. You gotta admit, Malon and Link kinda look alike! :) They obviously can't be twins, though, because Malon seems to remember her mother and Link's mother died when he was a baby, go figure. And who said Malon had to be the same age as Link?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a gray, dismal day in Hyrule. Malon sighed as she sat at the window in her room in Hyrule Castle and gazed out at the equally dismal landscape. It had been two weeks since the death of her father and she'd decided that while she wanted the house rebuilt, she didn't want to live there anymore. She'd contacted a cousin on her mother's side, Tira, and asked if she wanted the ranch. Tira had agreed to take it over.

Malon knew that Link, her half-brother and husband of Princess Zelda, was suffering too. Link had barely known their father. He'd managed to pull himself together more. She didn't hold that against him. After all, he was a man, and he had his wife and daughter to take care of. Maybe that was her problem. She needed to keep busy somehow. Maybe she should visit Jordan, that cute soldier, more often when he was off-duty.

A thought hit her. She loved animals...and she loved babies. She stood up and crossed her room. She felt as if she were freeloading, even though she was family, and she wanted to ask Zelda something.


Zelda sat in the den working on her embroidery. She'd so loved this activity when she was little. Her mother had taught her. Of course during Ganon's seven-year reign of terror she'd had to abandon it and help her beloved Link.

At her feet was a cradle, in which lay her infant daughter Princess Amethyst. Zelda rocked the cradle from time to time with her foot. The poor child cried whenever she heard thunder, and Zelda was ready to drop her embroidery and comfort her if the baby really got upset.

*CRASH!!!*

Amethyst started practically screaming. Zelda set down her embroidery and reached down and lifted her baby into her arms. "There, there, sweetheart, Mommy's here," she said soothingly. "It's okay, Amy." She used a nickname Link had come up with. Zelda hated seeing her baby upset.

"Zelda...?"

Zelda looked up, saw Malon standing timidly in the doorway. "Malon. Come on in," she said to her sister-in-law.

Malon was still in awe of her brother's wife. Little by little she was relaxing. She went over and sat in a chair. "Zelda...you know about my decision to give the ranch to my cousin," said Malon. "I just can't go back there, since it's where my father died. But I feel like I'm freeloading."

"Malon, you're hardly freeloading. Even if you weren't Link's sister I'd still let you stay because you're a friend," said Zelda.

"Well...I was just wondering...if you'd let me be Amethyst's nursemaid. I could help take care of her if you and Link want to go somewhere. That way you don't have to rely on the servants...and Amethyst would be with family. I really love babies, about as much as I do animals."

Zelda nodded slowly. "If that's what you want. I know Amy takes to you, her Aunt Malon."

"Amy?"

"Link's pet name for her."

"Yes, I'd like it a lot, Zelda," said Malon. "That way I feel useful. I love my niece."

"I would like to talk to Link about it. I am certain he'd agree, but I feel better talking to him first."

"Talk to me about what?"

Malon turned her head. Link was leaning against the door jamb.

"Malon would like to be Amethyst's nursemaid," said Zelda. "I don't see why not."

"Neither do I," said Link. "To be honest I'd trust my own sister rather than a virtual stranger. Besides, we're all family here."

"Oh, thank you so much!" exclaimed Malon.

"Oh, and I have some news. Looks like Malon's going to get her first assignment as Amy's babysitter," said Link. "Princess Ruto's almost ready to give birth to her first child, and King Zora requested that Zelda and I be there."

"Oh really? I knew she was due any day now. I'm glad she finally found herself a nice Zora man," said Zelda.

"Yeah, well, we kinda have to leave now," said Link.

"All right," said Zelda. She stood up and gently placed Amethyst in Malon's arms and kissed the baby's forehead. "Be a good girl for Aunt Malon. And thank you so much, Malon."

"Oh, no problem. Let me know if the Zora baby is a boy or a girl," said Malon. She gently kissed her niece's forehead.

Link went over and gave the baby yet another kiss. "We'll be right back, Amy," he said. 

Malon held up Amethyst's hand and waved it. "Say see you later, Fairy Boy," Malon laughed.

"Horse girl," Link shot back playfully.


The storm was easing up by the time Link and Zelda reached Zora's Domain. Practically the entire Zora population was in the cove, awaiting the birth of a new prince or princess. Princess Ruto's husband, Mikano, came out and stood next to his father-in-law and raised his fins for attention. "My wife, the Princess Ruto, has just had a girl!" he announced.

Link and Zelda stood amongst the Zora people, along with King Darunia and his son Link, and Queen Nabooru of the Gerudos.

"Look! Rauru is headed this way!" said Nabooru.

Ruto emerged from a cavern near Zora's Fountain, looking exhausted but happy. She held an infant Zora girl in her arms. She whispered something to her father.

"Behold--Princess Sapphire of the Zoras!" King Zora boomed. He smiled. "Inspired by the sapphire-blue waters that were her birthplace."

"Not only by that, Your Majesty," said Rauru, as he was making his way through the crowd of Zoras on the ramps. He stood before King Zora and bowed. "The newborn princess is also the Sapphire Sage that was foretold. She is the second of the three Gemstone Sages to be born, and she will have power over the water. Princess Ruto, please bring the child here."

Ruto approached Rauru, her fellow Sage, her husband Mikano looking on. Rauru carefully placed a sapphire-blue medallion in Ruto's hand. "This is Sapphire's sage medallion," he said.

"My daughter...she has a special destiny?" Ruto asked, clearly awed.

"Yes, she does. Sapphire, and Link and Zelda's daughter Amethyst, and the sage yet-to-be-born, Ruby," Rauru confirmed. "But I cannot tell you what their destiny is yet."

"Whose child will Ruby be, Rauru?" asked Zelda. "Perhaps a Goron?"

"It's only coincidence that the sages of water and healing have mothers with those abilities," said Rauru. "For all we know Ruby may be a Kokiri, but Ruby--a boy or a girl--will have the power of fire. Not necessarily a Goron, Princess. Now excuse me, I must take my leave. A little too damp for me." He smiled, and the Zoras parted and let him pass.

"Wow, Zelda, isn't this great? Our daughters should be great friends," smiled Ruto.

"Ruto, I think you need to rest now," said Mikano.

"I'm fine, honey," said Ruto. "And Link...a long overdue apology about that fiance business. I knew you needed the Zora's Sapphire to unlock the Door of Time. I was just being my difficult self."

"Don't worry about it. I already forgot about it," smiled Link. "And you have yourself a fine Zora man."

Ruto smiled and went to stand next to her father.

"She's a handful though," Mikano told Link, and winked. "I wonder what our daughter will be like."

By that time the sun had come out and the party moved to Lake Hylia. Zelda and Link found a place to change into their swimsuits, which they'd been asked to bring, and they followed the Zoras through the underwater passage that was a magical shortcut to Lake Hylia. It was the middle of summer, just right for a celebration at the lake.


Link and Zelda got home later that evening. They found Malon in her room, gently rocking Amethyst to sleep. "How did she behave?" Zelda asked.

"Oh, she's such a sweet baby," whispered Malon. 

"Ruto had a girl. Sapphire--another of the Gemstone Sages," said Link.

Malon's blue eyes widened. "Wow...I just wonder what's going to happen that Amethyst, Sapphire, and another child will be needed."

"Oh, I'm sure we'll find out," said Zelda. "Malon, you have some free time. You already know that Link and I spend a lot of time with our baby."

"Well, I was thinking about visiting Jordan. I--I think he likes me," Malon said shyly.

"I trust him with my sister," said Link. "He's one of our best guards, and he's a really decent guy."

"He likes you," said Zelda. "I can tell. Link looks at me the same way."

"Oh wow," breathed Malon. "Oh, and thanks for letting me watch Amy. It keeps me busy...keeps my mind off Dad...."

Link nodded, his blue eyes, so like his sister's and their father's, looking a bit sad.

Zelda gently lifted the baby into her own arms. She hugged Malon with one arm. "I'm here for you and Link," she said.

"Thanks, Zelda," said Malon gratefully. She got up and picked a brush up off her vanity table and started brushing out her long red hair, which she'd inherited from her mother, who would have been Link's stepmother. "I'm going to go see Jordan. He was such a big help the night of the fire...."

"All right, Sis," said Link as he, Zelda, and Amethyst left the room.

Malon pulled her hair back at the sides and clasped it in back with a barrette. She then put on a nice blouse and skirt Zelda had given her: a nice white peasant blouse and ankle-length blue skirt. She thought of Jordan--his dark hair, his expressive brown eyes. He was just the one to help her chase away the depression she'd felt since her father's fiery death.

Jordan was off-duty at eight that evening, and it was a quarter to eight now. She knew where he was posted--right outside the drawbridge.

Malon left her room and headed for the castle's main entrance. It was eight, and Jordan's relief had just come. "Malon!" smiled Jordan.

"Hi, Jordan," she said shyly.

"You look lovely this evening. How are you holding up?" he asked, his eyes sympathetic.

"I'm all right. I'm just glad I have at least some family--my brother, my sister-in-law, and my niece," she replied.

"Know what? I just got paid today--how would you like to try out that restaurant in town?" Jordan asked. "I thought maybe...we could sit, talk...."

"I'd love to," said Malon, smiling more shyly.

"First let's go to my house in town so I can get changed," he said. He offered his elbow, and Malon linked her arm through his.

Jordan walked her down the path and into town. "Evening, Miss Malon," said the guard posted at the gate. She seemed to have a special status of her own, as the sister of the Hero of Time. Of course Malon didn't care about that. Though she was glad she'd been able to aid her brother somewhat in his quest--and she was grateful that he'd freed her from Ingo's tyranny.

"Here's my house," he said. "You can just wait here in the living room while I change."

The house wasn't bad at all. Princess Zelda took care of her people. Jordan's house had a spacious living room and kitchen, and one bedroom. Malon sat down on the couch and gazed around a little.

Soon Jordan came back out, his dark hair neatly combed, wearing a dark green shirt and black trousers. "Let's go, Malon," he said kindly.


After their date Jordan escorted Malon back to the castle. Malon was all smiles; he'd been so polite and such a gentleman. He'd taken her Bombchu bowling and had had her try some target practice with a bow. She'd been terrible at it but she'd had a good time anyway.

"May I have a kiss good-night?" Jordan asked.

Malon nodded. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave her a gentle kiss on her lips. "I had a good time, Malon. Did you?" he asked.

"I enjoyed it a lot. That's what I needed, to get out," she replied.

"Would you like to go out two nights from now?" he asked.

She nodded. "I'd love to. Good night, Jordan."

"Good night, Malon."

Malon sighed as she headed into the castle. She wanted to tell Link all about her date. She paused in front of his and Zelda's bedroom, noticed that the door was closed. The sounds coming from the other side of the door told her why. She put a hand to her mouth, smiled, and blushed. No, not a good time, not when her brother wanted to be amorous with his wife. She'd wait until morning.


"How'd it go last night, Malon?" Link asked at breakfast. He, Malon and Zelda sat together at the table. Amethyst was in her crib, as Zelda had already nursed her.

"Oh, he was such a gentleman, Link!" Malon gushed. "We went to the target practice place, and we went Bombchu bowling, and he took me to a nice restaurant. He even asked before he gave me a good-night kiss."

Link nodded. "He's one of our best guards. I like him."

"We have another date tomorrow night," said Malon.

"Go for it!" Zelda smiled at her sister-in-law. "He's twenty-three years old and he hasn't found a woman he's happy with. You may very well be the one."

Malon grinned, the first time in weeks Link had really seen his younger sister smile.


The next month, a Gerudo woman was giving birth in the thieves' hideout. This woman was Nabooru's second cousin; the baby would be Nabooru's second cousin once removed.

"Easy, Malina," said Nabooru. Inwardly Nabooru cursed Malina. Malina didn't care for children and she'd fooled around with some ne'er-do-well Hylian man and had become pregnant. On top of that, she'd killed the man when he'd denied being the father. Smart move there.

"Just get this kid out of me!" the fiery-haired Malina growled through clenched teeth.

"You have to do that yourself--as in push when you have a contraction!" Nabooru snapped back. "You did this to yourself."

"That man did it to me."

"Takes two to tango--now push!"

"That miserable bastard," Malina snarled as she pushed.

After what seemed to be an eternity, a girl was born, a girl with red hair and red eyes. "So what are you going to name her?" asked Nabooru.

"Ruby is good enough...her hair and eyes," said Malina.

Nabooru gently washed the little girl and wrapped her in a blanket. She looked at the little girl, to whom she was related, and felt sorry for her.

A few hours later another of the thieves came in. "Rauru is here. I let him in because he is the sage of light," she said.

Nabooru raised an eyebrow, looked over to the bed there Malina was holding her daughter. "Show him in," she said.

"Hello, Nabooru," said Rauru to his fellow Sage. "I see the Ruby Sage has just been born."

"Oh really?" smiled Nabooru.

"Yes, and this is one that must be watched carefully, as her power will be over fire," said Rauru.

Malina sat up straight and glared at her infant daughter. "Nabooru, I do not want this child, she is too dangerous," she said.

"I will help you raise her. She is your responsibility, and as your Queen I order it," snapped Nabooru.

"Very well," murmured Malina.

"Malina, this is Ruby's sage medallion--this is hers," he said, slightly stressing the last three words. He placed the ruby-red medallion in the baby's blanket.

Malina just nodded.

Rauru beckoned for Nabooru to follow him out the door. "I don't trust Ruby's mother," he said frankly. "Look after them."

"Of course. I will train her," said Nabooru. "You have my word."

"Your word is good," nodded Rauru. "I trust you, Nabooru. Even a thief can be honorable."

Nabooru merely chuckled at that. "I will see that my cousin doesn't try to steal that medallion. Some things are better left...unstolen."


Link and Zelda were just finishing their lunch, and Malon was out with Jordan, who had the day off. "Princess Zelda--the Sage of Light Rauru to see you," said a guard as he approached their table.

Link and Zelda stood up and went to greet Rauru. "What brings you here, Rauru?" Zelda asked.

"The Ruby Sage has been born. A Gerudo girl named Ruby," he said. "Unfortunately her mother is not someone I trust, but her second cousin--Nabooru--said that she will keep an eye on things. And don't be afraid to let your daughter befriend this child when they're older--that's all I can say."

"Well, with Nabooru around, things should be somewhat okay," said Link.

"I thought you would like to know about this. I must be on my way," said Rauru. "Good day, Link, Your Highness." He bowed and left.


Later that evening Link and Zelda were sitting in the den together, reading a book they both loved. Amethyst was asleep in her crib; she'd already been fed and changed so Link and Zelda shouldn't be interrupted for a while.

"Link! Zelda!" came a joyous cry.

The couple sat up, and Malon came running in. "He proposed! I said yes!" Malon squealed, holding out her hand for them to see. On her ring finger was a pretty diamond ring. "We're going to be married in the fall!"

Link stood up and hugged his sister. "Malon, that's great!" he said.

Zelda joined them in the hug. "Looks like we have a wedding to plan!" she added.

Book 7--Malon's Wedding

A few weeks before Malon's wedding, Zelda took her shopping in Hyrule Castle Town for a dress. "Malon, you and Jordan can have a room here in the castle if you'd like. He usually stands guard near the castle, and with you watching Amethyst, I think it's a suitable arrangement," Zelda told her.

"We'd really appreciate that," Malon told her sister-in-law. "And when we have children, Amethyst will have cousins to play with! Won't that be fun? Just think, having children running around the castle!"

Zelda had to laugh at that. "Here, let's look in this shop," she said.

Malon made a beeline for an especially pretty dress. "Oh, Zelda, I just adore this one!" she said, taking off the rack a pure white dress with fitted long sleeves, puffed shoulders, and a lace panel just above the bodice. It ended in a straight skirt and train.
"It's perfect!"

"Don't you want to look around a little bit?" asked Zelda, amused.

"I found the perfect dress already," Malon replied. "Think Jordan will like it?"

"I think he'll love it," said Zelda. "Well, let's go pay for it."


At that moment, Link and his prospective brother-in-law, Jordan, were on the castle grounds practicing their archery together. "I don't know about you, Link, but I'm a bit nervous," said Jordan.

Link fired an arrow, hit the bull's-eye. "Don't worry, Jordan, it'll be okay," he told him. "Imagine how nervous I was when I married Zelda!"

"Well...I'm just worried about being a good husband to Malon," said Jordan as he fired off an arrow of his own.

"Then you will be," said Link. "I've been married to Zelda for two years already. One thing I've learned, you have to communicate. I mean, you and Malon sit and talk to each other."

"Your sister is fun to talk to," smiled Jordan. "So easygoing...and a little timid. Just makes me want to protect her."

"She had that effect on me when I first met her. I always thought of her as a sister...even before we knew we were brother and sister," said Link. "As for Zelda...one thing that attracted me to her was her independence...I loved her from the time we first met, I'm sure I did."

Jordan smiled. "You and Zelda are so great together...you're the perfect couple. I hope it's like that with me and Malon."

"She can't stop talking about you," smiled Link. "And I'm glad you were there for her, when we lost our father. I could only do so much...I mean, I'd just found out he was my father too and everything...."

"Well, at least Malon hasn't been alone...she's had you, and Zelda, and the baby."

"Now she's going to have you too," said Link as he fired another arrow. "In a way I'm glad she's turned the ranch over to her cousin. Since that night...it's just held bad memories for her, and she'd be alone. And I'm glad I have my sister around...I'd grown up--so to speak--thinking I had no family." He studied his friend, his sister's fiance. "And there's something else you're worried about. What is it?"

Jordan turned beet red and tugged at his collar. "Um...about the wedding night...," he squeaked.

"Okay, let me talk to you about that," said Link, also turning red.


"So Jordan has your approval, Link?" Malon asked as she and Link had a picnic together at Lake Hylia. Zelda was at home, taking care of the baby; she'd encouraged Link and Malong to do something together, a brother/sister outing. Actually, Zelda had something in mind for Malon; she'd told Link not to have her back at the castle any earlier than three o'clock.

"Yes...he's a very good man," Link told his sister. "You know, last week he was telling me that he was concerned about being a good husband to you."

Malon smiled. "If he's worried about that...then I guess that's good. I am so nervous, Link!"

"I was nervous at my wedding."

"I couldn't tell," said Malon, who'd been at Link's wedding.

"Oh, I was shaking in my boots," Link laughed. "Especially since my bride was the Princess of Hyrule, of all people!"

"I'm glad Zelda's going to let us live in the castle," said Malon. "I mean, after the ranch house burned down...."

"You're family, and Jordan will be family," said Link. "And you're really good with Amethyst...I bet you'll be a good mother when the time comes."

"I'll still watch your child while caring for mine...Jordan and I already talked about that," said Malon. "Granted you and Zelda are with Amethyst all the time...but just in case, well, that's what an aunt's for." She smiled.

Link lay back and looked at the clouds. He sighed. "It's nice having a sister to talk to," he said. "Jordan and I were talking about, here I thought I was an orphan and I had no one, and I had family all along."

Malon lay down next to Link. "We both have Dad's blue eyes," she said. She smiled. "Fairy boy. Which reminds me--where is Navi lately?"

"I guess she's going to be Amethyst's guardian fairy now. What she said," Link replied. "I guess it had something to do with me telling her that I felt silly being a grown, married man, and a father, and having a fairy constantly following me like I was a Kokiri child."

Malon giggled. "I wonder what it's like to be a Kokiri and have a fairy constantly watching you."

"They get used to it," Link replied. "Though Navi was with me for a short time, rather than since birth."

"That Mido...he's such a bully," said Malon.

"Well, the thing is he likes Saria and Saria is my best friend--and I had no fairy." Link sat up. "If he'd have stopped being so bossy, and realized that Saria and I were only friends, he would have had no problem."

"I like Saria. She's a sweet girl," said Malon. "Forest sage, huh? Actually that sounds natural...a sage friends with the Hero of Time."

"She helped raise me from the time I was a baby until I could take care of my own house," said Link. He smiled. "She told me when I was a baby I used to chase after her fairy and try to grab her."

Malon laughed at that, picturing her older brother as an adorable golden-haired tot, chasing after a fairy.

"Well, it's time we headed back," said Link. "I want to spend some time with my daughter before dinner time."

"All right," said Malon, not noticing the sparkle of mischief in her brother's eyes. She picked up the basket while Link gathered up the blanket. They rode back to the castle together on Epona.


"Link...where did everyone go?" asked Malon as they entered the castle. She turned--and saw that Link had disappeared too. "Link? Zelda?"

Malon was confused as she met up with Jordan in a corridor. "Where is everyone?" she asked.

"I don't know...I was just in town with some friends and they told me to head home for something," Jordan replied as he took Malon's hand.

They went into the dining room, and that was when people--the Sages along with any family members--popped out from everywhere. "SURPRISE!!!" they screamed.

Jordan and Malon were surprised. At first they couldn't say anything; then they started laughing. "That was just brilliant!' Jordan laughed, looking around the room at the white, silver, and gold balloons and streamers that festooned the dining room.

"I didn't think I'd be able to sneak away so easily," Link laughed as he cradled his daughter in one arm, his other arm around Zelda's waist. "It was all Zelda's idea--keep you two away long enough for her to throw this wedding shower together!"

"Oh, thank you, Zelda!" Malon exclaimed, clapping her hands together delightedly.

Little Amethyst, who was now six months old, tried to reach for the elaborate cake that was on the table. "Not just yet, young lady," Link grinned, holding her back.

Zelda smiled at her golden-haired daughter. "She gets that from you, Link," she teased.

Malon and Jordan took their seats at the head of the table. Dinner would be served before the party. Link and Zelda sat at the other end, and Amethyst sat next to Zelda's seat, in her high chair; she was now able to sit up on her own.

"You have a handsome man--for a Hylian," Princess Ruto whispered to Malon as she held her infant daughter in her lap.

"Thanks, Ruto," Malon said, blushing. She and Ruto had been getting friendly with each other lately, through Zelda and Link.


After the dinner was the party. Saria held baby Ruby in her arms; Nabooru had taken her little cousin with her, since Ruby's mother--Nabooru's second cousin--didn't care one way or another.

The other two babies were in Amethyst's playpen. Amethyst was sitting up, holding Sapphire's hand, looking at this strange Zora baby. Saria gently lowered Ruby down into the playpen, as she was getting tired and cranky. "Hello, Amy," Saria whispered, stroking Amethyst's fine hair, which had a purple bow in it.

Jordan and Malon sat at the table, happily opening gifts from their families and friends. Jordan's parents were also there, happy for their son. "Malon is a sweet girl, Jordan," his mother whispered to him. Jordan smiled and gazed at his fiancee.

"I think they're going to be happy together, Zelda," Link whispered as he kissed his wife's cheek.

"Hopefully as happy as we are," Zelda replied.


Finally the big day arrived. Zelda was in Malon's room, helping her get ready for the ceremony. "Let's put your hair up," Zelda suggested, "and see what that looks like."

"All right," said Malon.

Zelda set to work, pinning up Malon's long red hair. "Zelda...I love this!" Malon exclaimed as she gazed at herself in her full-length mirror. "Yes, let's do it this way!"

"Jordan will probably faint when he sees you," Zelda told her sister-in-law teasingly.

"Hopefully not before we say our vows!"

Zelda had Malon sit down, and she carefully applied makeup to the younger girl's face. Malon had to admire the way Zelda was so good at fashion, knowing what colors looked good on whom. Malon was used to being just a simple farm girl, but thanks to Zelda she'd found that she could look good too.

"I look older than eighteen!" Malon laughed as she looked in the mirror again. "Wow...it doesn't even look like I have makeup...but yet...."

"That's the idea," Zelda told her. "Not to make your face look painted, but to bring out what's already there."

There was a knock at the door. "You girls ready to go?" called Link's voice. He was going to give his sister away.

"We're ready, sweetie," said Zelda.


Zelda held her baby in her arms and stood near Rauru and Jordan at the altar. Jordan was smiling nervously. "I don't think I've been this scared in battle," he whispered.

"Link said the same thing," Zelda whispered back, smiling. "It'll be okay."

The music started and Malon came down the aisle on Link's arm. Link's eyes met Zelda's, and she knew that he was remembering their wedding day two and a half years ago.

People ooh'ed and aah'ed at Malon as she was escorted by her brother. As Jordan reached for her hand, Link gave Malon a gentle pat on her shoulder and went to stand next to Zelda.

"My little sister...getting married," Link whispered as he put his arm around Zelda's shoulders.

Jordan and Malon stood there and held each other's hands, facing each other, looking every bit in love. In two front seats, Jordan's parents sat there, Jordan's mother crying with happiness, his father looking proud.

Saria had the rings, and she handed them to the couple. "With this ring, I, Jordan, wed thee, Malon," said Jordan as he placed the ring on Malon's finger.

"With this ring, I, Malon, wed thee, Jordan," Malon said, sliding the ring onto Jordan's ring finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife!" Rauru said happily. Cheers went up as the couple kissed.


"Malon and Jordan are so happy, look at them," said Zelda as she and Link danced at the reception that followed the wedding. Impa was looking after any children that were there, including Amethyst.

"Jordan is a good man, and I'm happy he's my brother-in-law," said Link. He gently cupped Zelda's face in his hands and kissed her. "And I'm glad you're my wife, Zelda."

A small distance away, Jordan and Malon danced together, gazing into each other's eyes. They seemed to be wrapped up in each other, to be in their own little world.

A while later, Jordan and Malon got into a coach that would take them to their honeymoon site. Link hugged his sister and shook hands with her husband. "You guys have fun tonight," he said, giving them a knowing look. "And take care of my sister, Jordan."

"Of course," said the young man, who was actually three years older than Link.

Link and Zelda held hands and watched as the coach departed, a Just Married banner on the back. "Zelda...what say we recreate our wedding night...in bed?" Link whispered in her ear.

"I'd love to."