by Michelle S. Lancaster
Chapter 4
The night before Malon's wedding, Link went over to visit her. He couldn't go during the day, or else rumours would arise, so he went around sunset. Their conversation continued on until almost eleven at night. Link got up to leave. "As much as I hate to leave, I guess I should go home now. It's late and Zelda might be getting worried. If not her, Densetsu. He's altogether too loyal for my liking." "Don't go! It's not even close to midnight yet! What's your rush?" Malon asked. "Well, there isn't one, but you should get some sleep. Tomorrow's a big day for you, you know." "Yeah, like I'm really gonna sleep tonight anyway. Even if I wasn't dreading this, I'd be scared." "Well, it's not like I can spend the night here with you." "Why not?" Link looked at her. He knew what she was getting, but still... "I don't know, Malon. I mean, I'm married, you're engaged." "And neither of us is happy. Come on, it can't hurt. And I don't want Darvin, of all people, to be the first. I want you to be. I love you, and you love me. Why not?" He hesitated, but not for long. This was, after all, their last night together. It was after midnight when Link returned to the castle. Zelda hadn't waited up for him, but he did have to sneak through her room to get to his own. As he moved back the curtain to get through his door, she rolled over and mumbled, awake but with her eyes closed, "You were out late." "Yeah...but I'm back now. G'night." "With Malon this whole time?" "Uh-huh. See ya." "Tomorrow's her wedding, isn't it?" Link didn't want to have this conversation. He was tired. "Yes, it is. I'm going to bed now, alright?" "Fine." Zelda rolled over a fell asleep instantly. Link pushed open the door to his room. Over the past week, he had decorated it. There was a Kokiri Forest-type theme, mixed with a bit of Lon Lon Ranch, and a little bit of Hyrule Castle. It was all Link. He collapsed into bed, but didn't fall asleep for a while. He wondered if this was how Malon had felt before his wedding. No, he felt worse, because she hated the man she had to marry and he sympathized with her. Her life had never been easy, and that frustrated him. He could have made things better for her, but he had to marry Zelda. She could take care of herself, she didn't need him. Malon needed him just like he needed her. They had needed each other tonight. But after tonight, she would have to turn to Darvin. He doubted she could bring herself to do that. The next morning, at the crack of dawn, Link was awakened by Zelda opening the shades and saying "Rise and shine, Link! Get up and get ready!" He groaned and rolled over, pulling his pillow over his face. "Get ready for what? Get outta here, Zelda." She pulled the blankets off him, exposing him to the cold morning air. Though they might be comfy, royal pajamas can't keep the heat in, and he was instantly freezing. "It's Malon's wedding today! You couldn't have forgotten. Come on, get dressed." Zelda seemed surprisingly happy, despite the early hour and the solemnity of the occasion. He pulled the blankets back up and said softly, "I'm not invited." That seemed to take Zelda by surprise. "Why not? You're her... best friend." She caught herself from saying boyfriend. "Talon knows about us... and he doesn't want me there to ruin it. He probably wouldn't have let her come to our wedding, but he really didn't have a choice. He really doesn't like me." Zelda sat on the side of his bed. Link was facing away from her. "What's not to like about you, Link?" "He doesn't want anybody to win his daughter's heart, he doesn't trust anyone with it. Also, he's always wanted her to marry Darvin for some odd reason, and I was getting in the way of that. But I think there's more to it. Malon said he doesn't think I'd be loyal to her. He thinks because I'm so famous I could have any and every girl in Hyrule, so I will. He just doesn't trust me to take care of her and not leave her or hurt her feelings or something. But he should know better... there's no one I would put before Malon. We've known each other so long." It occured to him that he was pouring his heart out to Zelda when he hadn't even told Saria, or Malon, for that matter, how he felt. He stopped talking, then said hastily, "So anyway, I can't come. Lemme sleep." "I see. Well, I was invited. I guess I have to come since I'm royalty... but it looks like I'm sick." He looked at her, puzzled. "You're not sick." "I know. They don't. I'll send a note with Jikan saying I'm too sick to come, but you and I both send our regards and good wishes for a wonderful marriage filled with happiness." "And peace." "What? Peace?" "Yeah. Make sure you put that we wish them peace and happiness. She'll know it's from me." "Okay, whatever." She got up and left, saying, "This could be fun, you know. Pretend we're sick all day and just spend the day hanging out without any reponsibilities. We could say it's highly contagious, so no one should come in..." he voice faded when she closed the door. Link was still facing the wall. He hadn't wanted Zelda to see him crying. Malon sat in her dressing room staring at the mirror. She was ready for her wedding, which was taking place in less than half and hour. She wore her purple bracelet, but was reminded of how she had criticized Link for wearing his hat. It wasn't like the bracelet matched very well either, but it was jewelery, so it didn't count. Still, she remembered the night before. Courage and peace. There was a knock at the door, and an unfamiliar and official sounding voice said, "Lady Malon, a letter from Her Highness Queen Zelda and His Majesty Prince Link. May I enter?" "Yes, come in." The servant entered and said, "Hello, Lady Malon. My name is Jikan, Royal Messenger. Here is your letter. Would you like to respond?" Malon scanned the words and murmered with a little half-smile "Happiness and peace..." "What was that, Lady Malon?" "Oh, nothing Jikan. Thank them very much an tell them I wish them well soon, and I am sorry they couldn't make it." "As you wish, Lady Malon." Jikan bowed and left her room. In his wake came Talon. Malon looked at him with a less than pleasent expression. "You look lovely, Malon." "Thanks, Dad. I know what you want to hear, so here goes: This is the best day of my life and I couldn't be happier. I'm so glad I get to marry Darvin insetead of Link." She spoke in utter monotone with no expression on her face whatsoever. Talon didn't look happy. "Look, when you're older you'll understand why I'm doing this. Trust me. This is the best for you. Now, everyone's here except the Queen, so we can start as soon as she gets here. Hopefully she won't opt to be fasionably late." "She's not coming. She sent me a letter saying she's sick, but she sends her regards and good wishes." To herself, she thought Wishes of peace and happiness. "Oh! Well, in that case, I'll be back in five minutes and we'll start the wedding! Come on, cheer up." He quickly kissed her on the cheek and left to tell Darvin and the others. Malon sat back down again and continued to stare at her mirror. This time, she was happier. At least she knew Link was thinking of her, and Zelda was too. "Do you, Darvin, take Malon to be your wife?" "I do." "And do you, Malon, take Darvin to be your husband?" She paused, she thought, she almost said no. But she took a deep, calming breath and said, "I do." She remembered the pain of watching Link say those words and was glad he wasn't here to see this... but only for a moment. Then she began to miss him. Just then, she noticed that she was supposed to kiss her husband. Trying not to look as disgusted as she felt, she kissed him, a bit longer than she would have liked. At least that part was over. But the worst was yet to come. Malon's reception party was different from Link's, because no one knew about Link's role in her marriage. It was genuinly happy, and the wine flowed joyously. Malon drank lots of it to soothe her sadness, and she saw Darvin worried expression, as if he wondered if she could take that much alcohol. Not only could she take it, she needed it. Darvin didn't stop her. She danced quite well for being drunk, but she'd always been good at dancing, and Darvin wasn't. No matter how badly she'd danced, she would have looked good compared to him. By the end of the reception, Malon had almost forgotten her worries, as Link had almost forgotten his at his party. But again, when the guests left, reality hit like a sledgehammer. No amount of alcohol could change the fact that she was married now, and Malon regretted the wine. She knew she'd feel it the next day in the form of a nasty hangover. "Do you want to go upstairs?" Asked Darvin innocently. She cast him a glance which clearly said don't get your hopes up, and headed for the couch. "You seem... not good." He said, "What 's the matter?" "Oh, I'm just so tired. I didn't sleep last night. I was so... excited. About today." Most of that was true. Darvin nodded. "I know how you feel. I'm glad the lack of sleep didn't put bags under my eyes." He admired his reflection in his new gold wedding band and said, "I look superb today, don't you think?" "Absolutely. Anyway, I think we should both take a nap." "Yes... we'll wait. Once we're rested we'll feel better." He headed for the stairs and called behind him, "Since you've got the couch, I'll take the bed. Come on up when you're ready." Malon shuddered, and fell asleep. |
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