A/N:: Well, here is my story and as a general summary I'll give a little more. Set after Oot, Link is haunted by his memories of the future and it drives him away for seven years. He keeps in touch while he is gone. He partakes of many adventures, meeting people along the way. Time eventually dulls the dark memories. He returns home to relax, but tales of raiders and bandits drives him to defend his home land, but all he wants is to rest. When he faces the bandits he learns of a threat rivaling that of Ganon's. Someone has donned the mask of the Oni and is using it to terrorize Hyrule.

For those fans of Revolution's Eve, have no fear the next chapter is in the works and shall be ready by next friday. This here is me missing the freedom of writing in the zelda universe; so I thought I try it again. My romance one fizzled, so this will be more action than anything. It will probably update once a month, and I'll be honest I'll not devote as much time to it as I do my main work right now, so there may be a few errors. If I miss them, just leave a review and I'll fix them. So without further adieu...read and enjoy.

--byl, out.

It was a whispering wind that greeted him as he and his steed meandered into Lon Lon Ranch. The sounds of distant mooing and the clucks of chicks filled his ears as the smells of hay and horse filled his nostrils. As he rode the steady chink of metal on metal accompanied him. It was a familiar sound, one that had been with him seven years now in his travels. His first adventure had seen him defeat countless monsters, traverse through time, and save the power of the goddesses; all before he struck puberty.

He reined his horse in gently as they stood at the entrance to the wide field opening-up before them. In the center corral horses ran rampant, leaving clods of dirt and clouds of dust their wakes. He noticed a lazy herd of cows in the far right corner, their bland expressions ignoring the majestic horses speeding by them.

Seen working diligently was a tall man with a lanky appearance and drooping beard. His head was shallow of hair and across his strong shoulders was a pole with buckets of water balanced on the ends. He meandered to a trough and one by one emptied the water into it. As if summoned several of the horses cantered over to partake of the refreshment in the summer heat. Ingo gave them a cursory inspection before leaving to finish another chore.

The young man narrowed his eyes at the man, knowing the dangerous ambition that boiled under his skin. He would wait to see if any catalyst would spark it.

It was with those dark thoughts a short man with heavy arms and a barrel chest approached him with greed twinkling in his good-natured eyes. "Well!" He shouted, throwing an arm wide in greeting. He was not tanned like Ingo, but he shared the same shallow hair and mustache. "Greetings, there young'in. What brings a fine lad like yourself to my wonderful ranch?"

He approached the horse and rider, getting closer to them than was considered polite. The man atop the horse gave him a wry smile, remembering quite well that Talon's favorite pastimes were sleeping and eating.

He debated revealing his origins, but thought better of it for now. If the man before him did not recognize the green tunic, then Link would not provide him with any other hints. "I was traveling in the area and heard of this kingdom tucked away and wished to see it for myself. When I learned it held the famous Lon Lon Ranch I had to check in." He offered him a dusty smile.

Talon beamed at the praise, his pudgy cheeks turning red. He gave a great laugh and spoke. "Just for that you'll be getting a free meal outta me." He slapped the rider on his thigh, his broad hand striking the chainmail beneath the tunic. He bit his tongue and held back on oath and he withdrew his pained palm.

He took a step back and truly took note of the stranger. He was garbed in a worn green tunic, with differing shaded green patches adorning it, making the rider seem like the canopy of a forest. Beneath the tunic he saw brown britches and chainmail poking out from the arms and waist. Riding by the lad's side was a blade, the leather of the hilt cracked and worn. Another, larger and thicker blade, was tied to the horse. Atop his head was a floppy green hat that held his yellow locks. His youthful face was marred with travel dirt and a few thin scars.

Talon gulped when he took in the quiver at his side and bow at his back along with the steel shield, along with a strange pointed metallic device on his belt next to a wicked looking boomerang. The lad was armed for war. "Sir knight…," He quickly spoke, "I'm sorry for getting familiar with you, if you'd give me a moment I could find you a clean room and provide whatever you need." He dropped another quick bow before nearly tripping over himself to re-enter his house.

Link blew out a tired sigh, running a gloved hand down his shoulder. Technically, he was a Knight of Hyrule; Zelda had seen to that before his departure. He just did not want others treating him as such. He shook his head ruefully and dismounted, his boots striking the dirt and kicking little twirls of dust into the air.

A moment later Talon came barreling from the house, his deep voice carrying over the vast field. "Ingo! Git yer lazy arse over here and take the knight's horse! Now!"

A minute past before the angry worker stomped over, but his anger dissipated at the sight of a fully armed Link. He dropped the most awkward bow Link had ever received before coming over and taking Epona from him. He muttered something incoherent. Not wishing to cause any awkward moments, he had experienced treatment like this enough to know, he let the now docile man take away his steed.

Talon cleared his throat. "If'n you'll follow me sir knight, I've got ma…I mean your room all ready." He smiled big and nervous.

Link allowed him to lead the way into the large house. Through the living area they traveled and up a flight of stairs before passing another room to appear at Talon's…Link's. It was lit by two windows whose curtains had been drawn back. It was quaint with a wooden wardrobe by one window and a goose-feathered bed against the other. Link noted a locked chest in the corner and assumed Talon had stashed his personal effects in it.

Link turned to the owner. "Thanks for your room, the hay loft would have worked just fine for me, though. I've slept in many."

Talon scoffed. "Nonsense! You young knights do more good for this kingdom than anyone else. It was the least I could do. I'll send Malon up to tell you when dinner's cooked. Should be around sunset." He chuckled and removed himself from the room, closing the door as he went.

Left alone, Link went through the usual motions. Off came his shield and bow, along with his quiver from his side. He removed his belt, which held his hookshot, boomerang, and wooden ocarina. He hung it on a hook on the wall. He pulled off his tunic and placed it along with his chainmail over shirt in the wardrobe. Careful examination of the latter showed signs of rust and a few links broken. It was past time for him to have a blacksmith service it again.

Next he removed his leather gloves and white undershirt. Last to go was his green floppy hat, revealing a mop of blonde hair. Stripped to the waist he walked towards the water basin and proceeded to wash the travel dirt and grime from his features. Adorned throughout his body were a few scars, a large one stretched from his waist, crawling up his chest, and ending at his shoulder. That was the one that had prompted him to get the chainmail.

Feeling somewhat refreshed he donned the white shirt and made his way from the room, he had no intention of being in the room until dinner. With a light step he exited the house and made his way to the vast corral and spotted his steed slowly cantering about the area. She whinnied in his direction and he waved back.

He climbed the metal fencing and took a position to sit, losing himself in the watching the animals frolic. It was good to be home.

Time lazed by and Link soon realized the sun was hovering over the horizon, its beams turning pale red and orange. It was then a girl his own age wondered over with a shrewdness in her eyes. Link kept the smile from his face and waited patiently, as she casually leaned against the fence where he sat perched.

A knowing smile alighted her features and she snuck glances at him, no doubt waiting for him to speak. Link was far more patient than she and eventually she broke the silence. "So," she dragged the word out, "how's the adventuring going..sir knight." She added the last as an afterthought. A playful dig sent his direction.

"Ah, hello fair maid, I do not believe we have been introduced. My name is Percival." He inclined his head to her.

She chuckled. "Really? Are you sure?"

"What other name would I go by?"

She just smiled, and through an egg at his face. With reflexes born and honed in combat and leaned back instantly, the egg missing. "Hah!"

He scoffed. "It means nothing, all knights are so quick."

"Oh really? And what about that wondrous horse you rode in on, hm? Does it happen to be named Epona?"

"Mayhap."

She scoffed. "That's her name, I know it. She about trampled me trying to greet me."

"I bought her off a fellow who was in dire straits. One too many adventures." He fought the smile from engulfing his face.

"Oh, I see. And about that green tunic you have hanging in your wardrobe? You buy that off him also?" She gave him a sweet look.

His mouth went slack. "You spied in my room?" He asked unbelieving.

She shrugged. "Yep. Oh don't look so hurt, I knew it was you the moment Epona ran up on me."

Link gave a hearty laugh and leaped from the fence in an elegant display. "I really didn't think you'd be fooled. Your dad on the other hand…" He trailed off and she looked heavenward in exasperation.

"I can't believe he didn't recognize you. Even Ingo didn't and you caused him a lot of trouble back then." Malon chuckled when she recalled that she had been Link's accomplice most of those times. "C'mere you big dummy." She walked forward and embraced Link in a strong hug.

Link returned the favor, noting her shorter stature. He pulled away and scrutinized her. Her arms were thin, but contained therein was a wiry strength. Her deep red hair was tied away from her face in a practical ponytail. She was tanned from working in the summer sun and her attire was boots, a divided skirt, and thin white blouse. He noticed a lack of grime and dust, owing to the fact she had cleaned up for dinner.

"Is it dinner time?" He asked hopefully.

She nodded her head. "Yep. We've got roast tonight with carrots and onions. I cooked the onions in the stove, dad can't stand them raw. I don't mind them that way really."

Link cringed.

She raised an eyebrow his way. "I take it you don't like them that way either?"

Link shrugged. "Honestly…I'll eat just about anything on the trail if it means keeping me full. I sometimes don't have much choice in my diet. Ever tried eating a tektike?"

Malon looked disgusted. "Don't even try and describe it to me." They had reached the door to the house and both could hear Talon and Ingo's muffled voices conversing. She hesitated and turned to him, a solemn look clouding her features. "Link, why did it take you so long come back? It's been a long time." She gave him a penetrating stare.

Link ducked his head and looked away. "I sent letters," he said lamely.

She shook her head. "That's just you keeping in touch with your friends, why didn't you feel like ever coming back to your home?"

Memories floated to the surface. A demon's hot yellow eyes and his red blood caking Link's hands. Of a frozen home and a people sacrificed to a fiery dragon. Of friends gone missing or killed and a town laid to ruin. Of a red-haired friend crying in her sleep for what one man's ambition had wrought on her. "There were lot of reasons, Malon. Good ones, too." He said quietly.

She laid a hand on his shoulder. "It has something to do with what the Queen had tasked you?"

"Yeah, it has something to do with that."

She nodded. "It must have been pretty bad for you, but I'm here if you need me." She gave him a warm smile. "C'mon, let's go eat."

Link was glad she dropped the subject then, and though she had offered what support she could, it was not an offer Link would take her up on. It was truly something only a few people knew of.

Dinner was a booming affair when Talon and Ingo were let in on Link's identity. Talon acted affronted for him posing, but he informed him that he was truly knighted by the queen some years ago. This smoothed the ruffled feathers and dinner became informative.

"I tell you lad, them knights are what's holding this kingdom together." He said shaking his head warily.

"How so?" Link asked intrigued.

"Well, it all started with a few raids on the southern lands. Farms getting hit and terrorized and the guards trying to help. Them guys handled it just fine for a while, but in a year or two some real nasties began cropping up and beating whole parties of the guard." Talon lowered his voice for dramatic effect. "Some came back in pieces." He shuddered.

Link looked on with shock, he thought with Ganon defeated that would be the end of troubles for Hyrule.

Seeing Link's intent stare, Talon went on. "Well, from there things just kept getting worse and worse for the kingdom, especially when the raiders started forming big bands and going after the villages." He shook his head. "Dark days those were, I was forced to hire a bunch of young fools with sword and pitchforks to help keep the ranch safe for a time. To help with problem the Queen, bless her soul, started the Knights of Hyrule; modeling them after some man from legend going by the name Hero of Time."

Link chocked on his drink. Zelda did what? "Go on." He croaked out.

"Well, seems like every adventurer heard of it and came to help. Most were rejected right away, but a few proved themselves and took up the task of fighting these guys. Oft times some will support the guard and push the raiders back, most they take on individual tasks and break-up the larger groups. Let me tell you, since they came around about three years gone things have really quieted down. Yeah, you get the occasional battle or two in the field, but it's easy these days." Talon gave a confident smile.

Ingo snorted. "Don't let his foolish hopes fool ya, Link." He said gruffly. "Things aren't all sunshine and daisies. It still ain't safe to travel the field by yerself, especially going out towards Lake Hylia. They say there's a nest of the raiders there lead by some man no one's ever beaten. The knights have gone time and time again in there, but have always come out licking their wounds." Ingo took a long draught of his beer.

"So the Queen just abandoned Lake Hylia to the raiders?" Link found that difficult to believe.

Talon looked away while Ingo nodded. "Yep, not much she can do, really. The thugs sent three of her knights' heads to her as a gift. It's not like she hasn't stopped trying, it's just for now there's a stalemate. It's from that town they launch most of their attacks, almost got into Kakariko a couple months back. That was a nasty battle and they almost lost if the gorons hadn't stepped in."

Malon chimed in now. "That's the problem with the knights, they're all freelance. They wonder where they want and when they want; they even have the right to judge people on the spot. Sometimes they're in a town to stop the raiders and sometimes they're not. A few do stay with the guard, but most do as they please. As long as they are fighting no one cares, but I think more control has to be put on them, or it's only a matter of time before a village falls to them."

Ingo grunted to that statement and Talon nervously played with the onion core on his clay plate. "I think it's time for desert."

From there Link took over the conversation and explained to them his travels. He stayed away from his more dangerous exploits and concentrated on the sights. He described to them the ice plains of the far north and the endless sands of a desert. Rich jungles rife with giant lizards and flying mice and canyons so deep their bottoms were cast in shadow. He spoke of giant armored worms inhabiting the desert, and him riding one from one end of the sands to the other. Of a giant city rising from the briny depths; he left out his deeds in helping it rise.

Late was when the fires in the hearth grew low and the men yawned with tiredness. Malon had long since cleaned the dishes and stored them for the morrow, and with a little help from Ingo ushered her father into the cramp guest room. Ingo bid her goodnight afterwards and made for his room out in the barn.

"I'd rather listen to the horses than yer father's snores." Was his reasoning for sleeping out there. Malon's defensive retort. "He doesn't snore that loudly." That argument had happened many years gone, but both thought back on it occasionally when they went to their sleep.

She entered the living area and found it empty, thinking Link had slipped off before saying good night she went to his room. Only it too was barren. She sighed and on a hunch put on a cloak and found her way outside. There, perched again on the fence, was Link, watching the half moon high in the starry sky.

She approached him reverently, not knowing if he wished to be disturbed or not. There had always been something about him when he got quiet and withdrew into himself, especially the months leading up to his departure all those years gone.

"It's okay, I don't mind a little company."

She trotted forward and leaned her back against the fence, his legs inches from her face. She joined him in watching the sky, her thoughts having a notion of where his own dwelt. "Want to talk about it?" She offered.

"Not really."

"Why not?" She pressed.

He sighed. "Because it's something I'll work out on my own."

Silence reigned and Malon went to walk away, not caring for his mood if he would not confide.

"Wait," he called.

She paused and regarded him. "Link, I told you I'm here for you. Are you so used to being alone you can't remember what's like to share your thoughts with someone else?"

He opened his mouth, and then shut it, his eyes seeking the ground. Taking that as a cue she resumed her position and tried again, this time with more specifics. "I know you left out a lot from your stories. You travel with enough weapons to kill a band of raiders, so I can only assume you've fought in quite a few battles. So I'm guessing whatever is bothering you is related to your adventures and the raiders here in the Hyrule?"

He chuckled dryly. "Why am I even talking to you if you already know?"

"Because I don't know how it's affecting you."

"Right." He paused and gathered his thoughts. "You're right, it does involve all that. I finally have the courage to come home and face what I'm afraid I could never forget. It wasn't near as bad as I feared; I think time dulled the wounds, something I had hoped for all those years ago. So I come home and think all I want to do is find some place to rest, visit my old friends and enjoy myself."

She looked up to him. "So you never rested or settled in any of your travels? Just constantly fought?" She asked incredulously.

"No…no. I rested and stopped and worked a few odd jobs when I cared to. I even got myself an adopted brother out there, was with him and his father for a year…course that didn't end too well." He trailed off into silence.

"So what's the problem then? Who said anything about you fighting the bandits?"

Link opened his mouth to speak, but words failed him. He realized something then. All Malon saw in him was a young man girded for battle, no different than the other dozen or so knights in the kingdom. Just some run of mill adventurer who had come home. She did not know what he was capable of and that he knew he could easily put an end to the bandits. "It's not quite that easy. You see…I can do something about the bandits. I also feel I should do something about them."

Malon made an indignant sound in her throat. "What is it with men wanting to save everyone?" Her voice hitched at the end and she paused to compose herself.

Link felt that there was something else in that statement, a kind of sad bitterness. He waited for her speak again, not wanting to press that issue with her.

She turned to look at him, placing her hand on his knee. "Link, there are two dozen knights fighting these guys along with hundreds of soldiers. What makes you think you're any different from those guys? That by you entering the fight could turn the tables and make everything right? You're only one man!" She cried the last part and Link realized she did not wish to see him dead.

He breathed out sadly. "That's just it, Malon. If I go to fight them I can turn the tide. I know I can."

Those words seemed to awaken a ghost in Malon and she went white, taking a tentative step back. The words echoed in her mind and it took a moment for her realize what lay in the mists of memory and what was present reality. "Link, please don't get yourself killed. You're my friend and I don't want to see you harmed. Look, you're just one man with a sword among hundreds of men with swords! You can't make a difference!" With those final words she walked away, lest he see the tears welling at the corners of her eyes.

Link watched her go with a heavy stillness about him. He had come home to rest and find relaxation among companions, but instead he finds his home in conflict instead. Truly, for the first time in his life he did not want to fight; he only wanted to put away his blade and laugh. Yet, his duty drove him, along with the words of his childhood friend. She along with the others were not the same as they were in that lost future, where they knew what he could do. That his very arrival in a losing battle could turn the tide in minutes. So it was both his duty and her doubts in him that decided his next course of action.

In the morning Malon went to Link's room only to find it empty. She did not bother to check the stables for Epona, knowing she was long gone with her owner. In the burgeoning light of sunrise Malon sat on the floor in her father's bedroom and cried into her hands.