Before Twilight

Chapter 26: Malon

Link's P.O.V

"Don't do anything stupid Link. Let me do the talking." Sheik stated as she dismounted her horse. 

She raised her hands up in surrender before speaking again. 

"We come in peace. I am unarmed. The man that travels with me only carries a sword for protection, after all these are dark days." She explained. 

She then turned to me and gestured towards my sword. 

"Unsheathe it and lay it on the ground. These people are apart of the Sheikah Clan. They will cut you down the moment they deem that you are a threat." Sheik explained. 

I did as she suggested and took out my sword. I tossed it on the ground after I dismounted Epona. 

"What business do you have here?" The voice asked. 

"I have come here to see Lady Impa." Sheik answered.

The voice was silent for a moment as if they had realized something. 

"Let them through! She will need an escort to see Lady Impa." Another voice shouted. 

Suddenly two members of the Sheikah Clan appeared before us. Their faces were hidden for they were covered with scarves. Their bodies were protected with a light blue armor and a red symbol resembling the shape of an eye. They both bowed in greeting towards Sheik.  

"Please follow us." They stated in unison. 

I made a move to retrieve my sword off of the ground and found myself with a knife at my throat. 

"Link leave the sword!" Sheik exclaimed. 

The Sheikah that held a knife to my throat kicked my sword away before gesturing for me to stand up.

"Visitors are not permitted to have weapons in the village." The Sheikah explained. 

I nodded my head in acknowledgment before fully standing up. Once the knife was removed from my throat was I able to relax. 

We then were escorted across the bridge down a path that lead around the mountainside. The path was narrow and winding. We wandered around the mountain side until a village came into view. 

The village was quite large. There were many structures, much more than Ordon that was, it was nothing like I had ever seen. 

"Keep up!" Sheik exclaimed. 

She was a bit farther ahead down the path with the two Sheikah warriors beside her, I attempted to catch up after seeing her frustration. 

When we entered the village it was clear that we stood out. Nearly everyone we passed stopped and stared. It was rather uncomfortable at first. 

"Were we so out of place here?" I asked myself. 

"She is just beyond these gates in the graveyard." One of the Sheikah warriors who escorted us stated. 

"Thank you." Sheik responded with a slight bow. 

Both of the warriors bowed back before they turned and left. 

When we approached the gate there was two more Sheikah warriors standing guard. 

"I am here to speak with Lady Impa. It is rather important." Sheik stressed. 

The two guards looked at one another before opening the gate. Sheik entered first and I followed her in suit.

"Halt! You may not enter these hallowed grounds. Only her." The guard explained. 

Sheik stopped and turned to look back at me. 

"Just wait here. I will be back soon." She said sweetly with a smile. 

I rolled my eyes at the two guards that kept me away from her. 

Time passed and I quickly grew impatient. I decided to wait no longer. I began to wander throughout the village. It was a very busy place. Nothing like quiet Ordon. People were coming and going. Carts and wagons full of goods filled the streets with their vendors trying to get you to invest. 

"Fresh fruit! Only a few Rupees per pound!" A voice shouted. 

"Get your Red Potion here! We've got Green Potion too half price!" Another vendor shouted. 

None of these vendors really caught my eye as I wandered about. As I walked further I came across a small clearing of field. It was clear that there was some farming taking place on this mountainside. There was a small cottage with a chicken run wrapped around it. As I inspected the property further it was clear to see that some of the animals were missing. 

"Don't come back here until you've rounded up all of those chickens!" A rough voice shouted. 

Suddenly the front door of the quaint cottage swung open. A young girl then stepped out with a bucket of chicken feed. 

"Alright! Alright! I'll find them! Don't get so upset!" She exclaimed as she shut the door behind her. 

When she turned back around she appeared quite startled to see me there. 

"Oh! Um hello!" She exclaimed. 

"Hello." I greeted. 

"Can I help you with something? Or are you here to see my Step Dad?" She asked.

"No! Actually I'm not really from here and I think I've lost my way a bit ." I chuckled awkwardly. 

The girl smiled softly as she set down her bucket of feed. 

"My name is Malon. Nice to meet you." She stated. 

"Nice to meet you Malon. My name is Link." I answered back. 

Malon appeared to be a sweet farm girl. She wore a white blouse and a long skirt with a colorful apron tied around her waist. Her hair was red and braided back. Her boots were muddy from chores and clearly two sizes too big. 

"Where are you from then Link if you're not from here?" Malo questioned. 

"Ordon." I answered. 

Malo's eyebrows raised in amusement. 

"So you're a farm boy!" She exclaimed in glee. 

"I suppose." I laughed. 

"Well I could really use an extra hand if its not to much to ask?" She inquired. 

"Sure what do you need help with?" I asked. 

Malon turned towards the chicken run behind her before answering my question. 

"Last night our chickens escaped. I need help rallying them up before my Step Dad leaves for the market. You see we sell those chickens' eggs at the market and without them we can't make any money." She explained. 

"Of course!" I exclaimed. 

Malo's expressed brightened the moment I agreed. 

"Great! Here is some feed to help lure them out." Malo explained as she handed me the bucket. 

"Once you've caught them just put them back here. " She added as she pointed towards the chicken run. 

"Will do." I stated.