I probably should've done this sooner, but I'll say it now:

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD! AND I MEAN BIG ONES! THE KIND THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE YOU WANNA HUNT ME DOWN AND KILL ME FOR RUINING YOUR OCARINA OF TIME EXPERIENCE! SORRY!

Just so we're in the clear. Lol

Lots of things to suggest MalonxLink in this one. He's such a player, our hero, ne? Well, that'll be the general idea with a good deal of the females in this story; they all want a piece of Link's Triforce, take it in what sense thou wilt.

Enjoy!

06:00 Day 1: Hyrule Field

The hike over to Lon Lon Ranch had never seemed so long before. I'm about ready to swear that this farm moves when I'm not looking. I had to spend the night in Hyrule Field, something I despise doing without Bunny Hood. Once the sun had set behind the ranch, the old Hyrule drawbridge had closed up, and I was stuck fending off Stalchildren until morning. I had forgotten how long night was without the Sun's Song.

But as the golden sun slowly rose above the trees and the Cuckoo signalled the arrival of morning, I was able to sheath my sword and leisurely make my way to Lon Lon Ranch. It was a comforting thought that, after I got Epona back, this would be the last god-awful night I'd have to spend in the boondocks.

---

06:30 Day 1: Lon Lon Ranch

I strolled into the ranch just as the animals had begun to stir from their sleep. A few of the horses had eased themselves in a light trot, stretching out their stiff limbs. The cuckoos hopped lazily around the horses, waiting for their morning meal. No one was in a big rush to do anything. This place had that effect on people; it wasn't hard to understand Talon's proneness to naps.

A familiar tune caught my ear. Its source; a small girl in the pasture, a shock of fiery red hair standing out against the soft green of the grass. A simple dress fell to her brown shoes, and her small hands were clasped in front of her ocean blue eyes. As she swayed to the slow beat of her tune, her eyes flickered for a moment and fell onto mine. She smiled and waved me into the pasture.

"Hey, Fairy Boy," Malon said, ceasing her song as I reached her, "Nice to see you around these parts again." She looked around. "Where's your cute little Navi?"

I thought for a moment. "Uh… away…" I figured I was going to have to describe the situation at least a hundred times over, so I'd spare it for those who needn't know. "Probably off annoying someone else."

Malon laughed a cute tinkling sound. "I don't suppose you just came to visit, did you?" I shook my head. "You've always been like that. Strictly business for Fairy Boy!" She puffed out her chest in what was supposed to be an imitation of me. Her voice tinkled again. "What can I do you for?"

I jerked my thumb at a red-brown horse with a white mane. "I need a better means of transportation that my own two feet, and I have the battle scars to prove it." I held out my badge. "Therefore, I'll be requesting the use of Epona for an undetermined amount of time."

Malon eyed me tauntingly. "The little slip of paper aside, I'd be happy to teach you Epona's Song again. She's been so lonely without you." Malon clasped her hands in front of her and raised an eyebrow at me. "You still got your ocarina?"

I nodded, digging into my pocket. I was almost disappointed when I pulled out the Fairy Ocarina instead of the sleek silver one I was used to. I remembered with a pang the last events of my previous adventure, when Zelda had used the Ocarina of Time to send me back to the past. That instrument held a lot of memories for me, and I felt strangely empty without it.

Plus, this wooden one gave me splinters.

Without too much difficulty, I quickly regained both my skill at the ocarina and my horse-summoning song. After testing it to make sure it still worked, I climbed atop my new companion and felt that familiar sense of freedom she gave me. As I revelled in this, I saw something over the gate that had never been there before.

I turned to the farm girl. "Tell me, Malon. What do you make of Navi, exactly?" She gave me an inquisitive look. "

Malon shrugged her shoulders. "Not quite sure what to say, really. I suppose she's a real pretty fairy. Smart, too, I reckon." She giggled.

My instincts told me I was on to something, but I'd need to get creative to find some more info. I went for some casual conversation. "So, what have you been up too recently?"

Malon shrugged. "Not much other than the usual."

I pointed over to the side wall. "What's that carriage over there for? I don't recall seeing it before."

She looked over to it. "That's the carriage we use to make milk deliveries."

"You made any deliveries recently?"

She shook her head. "Nope, not yet. I think we might be making one soon…" She faded off, seeming to think hard about something. She turned to me and smiled. "I gotta go feed the cuckoos, if you don't mind. You take care of her, now!" Malon ran off into the ranch.

I patted Epona's side. "Let's go see Talon, eh, girl?"

---

07:00 Day 1: Lon Lon Ranch

"W-W-WHAT-IN-?!" Talon awoke with his usual exclamation. I had found him inside the house, predictably sleeping with his Super Cuckoos. He rubbed his eyes and blearily stared at me. "Ah, Link, m'boy. What can I do you for?"

I held out my badge. "I'm on official Private Eye business here, Talon. I just stopped by to ask if you've seen any suspicious types around here."

Talon thought for a moment. "Well… not unless you count that Ingo."

I smirked. "Anyone else?"

"Nope, none." He folded his arms. "What's happened, Link?"

I sighed. "Someone's been murdered, Talon. I intend to find out who did it." The farmer exhaled deeply, sitting back down and putting a hand to his forehead. "Do you have anything that might help me?" He shook his head. I turned to observe the large storage room. It was bare. "Talon, aren't you making a delivery soon?"

He looked up at me. "Whaddya mean, boy?"

"Malon told me you were getting ready to deliver a shipment of milk. The carriage is all ready to go… Why is your storeroom empty?"

Talon gave me a confused look. "Malon told you that?" I nodded. "Why, we made a delivery two nights ago. To your home town, in fact. I haven't gotten around to puttin' that darned thing away, it's so heavy an' all."

"Is this true?" Talon nodded. I quickly wrote down some notes in my notebook. "Thanks, Talon. Contact me if something comes up."

I opened the door. He called out behind me. "You know, Link. I realise this may be a bad time, but my offer still stands!"

I turned to him and smiled. "Maybe, Talon. I'd like to wait a bit before I make such a decision like that."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I know. It's just that… she's been missin' you so much recently. I've bin catchin' her day an' night, daydreamin' 'bout you. I know you'd make her the happiest little girl in Hyrule." He patted my head. "You just keep that in mind before you go chasin' after them ladies."

I grinned. "Yeah…" I bade him goodbye, climbing onto Epona. I eased her out of the front arch and into the open field. Before taking off, however, I grimly made a note in my notebook:

Malon of Lon Lon Ranch. 10.

Possible Motive: Suspect has expressed feelings for me. Jealousy of the victim's companionship is probable.

Opportunity: Milk Delivery to Kokiri Forest at nightfall. Lied about said delivery.

Means:...

I flipped my book shut and rode off towards the castle drawbridge. Until Mido got some evidence for me, it would be hard to develop a good case against anyone. Nevertheless, as the Zora River came into view below the large wooden doorway into the Market, I felt a sad realisation form in the pit of my stomach. I had already vowed to find Navi's killer and bring that person to justice. I wasn't allowed to be prejudiced in anyway.

Even if the killer happened to be someone close to me, I would be the one to slam them into the dungeon, death a certainty.

---

Uncharacteristicly dark? I'd say so. There won't be too many of those moments, thankfully.

For those of you wondering, I honestly have no idea what age Malon or Link are. I always just imagined them to be 10. It just seems to work so perfectly, then he'd be 17 in older version. For those of you wanting to argue, tell me by your means of preference. I'd love to take you on XD

And so I end my belligerent challenge, due to the fact that I probably have half the fanfic population out for my hide... I guess the spoiler warning DID come too late...

Happy Reading (or Hunting)