Chapter 2

Married?

Link shook his head in disbelief. "You're getting married?"

Malon smiled and nodded. "Yup. In two weeks."

"And when did you plan on telling me about this?"

"…whenever you got back…" She said with a shrug, "It's not like I knew where you were so I could send you an invitation."

She moved toward the ladder and began climbing down. "You can't marry this guy, Red…" Link said, standing just near the exit and peering down at Malon.

She looked up at him curiously. "And why not?"

"Because…"

Link stopped speaking when Naru suddenly appeared by Malon's side. He slipped his hand into hers and smiled. "You're dad and Ingo are complaining about dinner, love." He said. He placed his arm around her waist and looked up at Link. "Oh…you're still here?" he asked and Link could detect the rudeness and sarcasm in his voice. Link's mouth curled into a sneer before Malon put her hands up and smiled warmly. "Are you staying for dinner, Link?" she asked.

Naru bristled at her inquiry and Link was all too happy to oblige. "Of course, Red." He said in a sing song voice. He slid down the ladder and landed gracefully beside his friend. "If you're cookin' I'll stay for breakfast and lunch too," he said.

Malon laughed and Naru rolled his eyes. "All right, let's go boys," Malon said, leading the way to the barn door.

"What are we having?" Link asked as he moved along toward the house with Malon by his side.

"Naru and I went fishing this morning so I'm cooking your favorite: Fried fish with steamed vegetables from the garden."

Link stopped walking and stared at Malon's back. "What's wrong?" she asked turning around.

"Where did you go fishing?"

"Lake Hylia…Why?" Malon asked, confused with Link's question.

"Did you sit on the bridge with him?"

"Yeah…and your point?"

"You sat on our bridge with him?" he whined.

"What's the big deal?"

"Never mind…I not hungry anymore," He shook his head and began walking toward the exit.

"Link…where are you going?"

"To see Sheik. I haven't seen him, yet." He lied before disappearing into Hyrule Field.

Sheik wasn't surprised to see Link return and request a mug full of ale. After Link emptied his glass several times, Sheik sat beside him. "What's the matter Hero?" he asked.

"You know damn well what the matter is…" Link muttered as he folded his arms across the counter and his face disappearing into the space they made.

"Well…I did warn you…" Sheik said, thankful his mouth was hidden so Link couldn't see his wide grin.

"You knew she was getting married and you didn't tell me…" he said, lifting his head long enough to turn an empty mug up and drinking the last drop.

"You didn't give me the chance. You ran out of here like your silk stockings were on fire."

"But that should've been the first thing you told me when I came in…" he whined looking up at Sheik.

"It's not like it would've done any good. It would only have gotten you to the booze earlier."
"And you're point?" Link demanded, holding up his empty mug, "It's empty. Fill it."

"What's the magic word?"
"Now."

"Now…" Sheik cupped his ear with his hand and leaned over toward Link, as if he were to keep speaking.

"Before I hurt you…"

Sheik sighed and took the mug from his friend. "Where are you staying tonight?" he asked as he filled the mug up.

"I don't know…there are plenty of holes around Hyrule. I'll find one that doesn't have something trying to kill me in it," he lifted his head and took a sip from the mug. He cringed as he swallowed. "This isn't alcohol! It's water."

"That's right. You've had four cups already. I can't have you drinking all my stuff up from my paying customers. Come back when you've got some rupees and you'll get your alcohol."

Link groaned and pushed the mug away. "I didn't want it anyway."

Sheik took the mug away and looked down at his friend. "So you're staying with me tonight?"

"I told you where I was going…" Link replied, "I'll find some place…"

"Just give me a minute to lock up and we'll head in for the night." Sheik said, ignoring Link.

"Lock up? It's only 7:00…" Link said, looking at his arm as if it had a miniature Gossip Stone on it.

"New law from Queen Zelda. All bars have to close down at 7:00. Cause apparently they are bad for the citizens' health. Why do you think this place is so active during the day? No one's allowed to drink at night." Sheik made his way over to Link and helped him off the barstool. "You ready my drunk friend?"

"You don't have to do this…" Link said slowly looking at Sheik.
"I know," he replied, 'But I'd feel bad if I just dump you in the gutter like I had planned."

Sheik busied himself in the kitchen of his small apartment as Link made himself comfortable on the makeshift cot. "You want something to eat, Hero?" Sheik called from the kitchen.

"Whatcha got?"

"Twigs and berries…I got food. Do you want some?" Sheik's head appeared from around the corner and held up a plate with some fish and some soup. Sheik set the plate and bowl in front of Link and sat down. "Don't expect me to serve you all the time, Link."

Link looked down at his food. "What is this…" he asked, pointing to the green soup.

"It's soup. Vegetable Soup."

"It doesn't look like Malon's vegetable soup. It looks like…nasty."

"Well I'm sorry I can't cook as well as your oh so wonderful Malon."

Link shook his head and bit into his fish. "You have to help me get her back." He said swallowing.

Sheik waved his hand as he stood. "Oh no! You are not getting me involved in this silly love triangle you got going on."

"Come on, Sheik…I'm going to lose her forever if you don't help me…"

Link pouted as Sheik moved toward his bed. "Don't ignore me…"

"I'm not helping you!" Sheik snapped, slipping into bed and blowing out the candle.

"Sheik…"

He sighed and turned his back to the hero. "Goodnight Link."