"This isn't 'land reform', it's theft!" Link declared, loudly before the royal court.

"Sir Link," Ferris Eldin, the son of the current lord of Eldin began in a condescending voice, "The nobility spared no expense to defend Hyrule. All we are asking is the return of some of our traditional land rights to recoup some of our massive debts."

"At the cost of anyone who owns land!" Jovani, a fat merchant objected. "Those without noble titles sacrificed just as much to defend Hyrule! Should we go bankrupt for the sake of the defunct nobility?"

"And exactly what were your noble contributions Mr. Jovani?" Eldin asked derisively. "Did you lead a militia paid for out of your own pocket, or did you sit around Castle Town reading about your profit loses?"

"Enough," Zelda declared from her seat in front of the throne. She couldn't yet sit on her father's throne until she could get past the religious authorities blocking her coronation. "While I am sympathetic to the needs of the nobility who spent so much to protect the land, we cannot strip landholders of their primary revenue source without risking economic collapse or civil war. The proposal is shelved."

"I strongly protest your highness," Eldin began. "Those lands ancestrally belong to the nobility to begin with; all we are asking is a small tax to be given to the local baron in exchange for protection."

Zelda nodded. "I understand your concern but the nobility were not the only ones to sacrifice in the war effort. If you can come up with a more balanced proposal I am willing to entertain it, but that will have to be another day. The court is dismissed."

"Hawhawha!" Talon laughed, completely drunk. "Malon! Get another round for Link!"

Malon scowled as she watched her father's antics, putting her hands on her hips

"That's really OK, Mr. Talon, I don't need any more to drink." He tried to wave Talon off.

"Nonsense my boy! You've saved the ranch, this party is all for you!" Talon said, waving his arms to indicate the small room where he, Talon, and Ingo were drinking while a miffed Malon picked up after them.

"I really didn't do anything," Link protested. "I just pointed out that the bill was unfair. Even if I wasn't there I'm sure Princes Zelda would've made the same decision."

A week ago Link saw Talon in Castle Town and the rancher had informed him of pending legislation that could make his ranch go bankrupt. Concerned Link had relayed this to Zelda and done what he could to challenge its supporters at court. Thankfully in this case, the court was not a parliament and could not pass laws without Zelda's support.

Talon had been thrilled with the law failing to pass and invited Link to the ranch to celebrate. He tried to refuse but then Talon mentioned Malon and Epona and that had guilted Link into accepting the invitation.

So there he was, half drunk, with Ingo passed out in the next seat seat, Talon fully drunk in front of him and Malon angry at not being included, or being forced to clean, or both.

"Ta be honest, I didn't know what to make of you at first boy," Talon said, suddenly serious. "Ya showed up and demanded my best horse, throwing your weight and money round." Talon paused and took another deep drink. "But ah turned out all right, a real hero! An a gentleman. . ."

Talon looked around conspiratorially. "Say, have ya ever considered getting married?"

Link, who was drinking the last of his beer, ended up spitting it out. "What?"

"Ya, know, I think Malon has a thing for yah," Talon said.

Link looked around. Thankfully Malon was out of the room. "Maybe now's not the time to discuss this. . ." Link said, hoping the farm girl did not hear them.

"Nonsense! You're a fine young man, I'd be thrilled to have you as a son-in-law," Talon continued, blissfully unaware of Link's real concerns.

"I just have a lot on my plate right now; I don't have time for a relationship!" Link said, putting his hands up and trying to defuse the conversation.

"Bah! a kid your age should be chasing the girls! Why when I was your age I – owe!" Talon stopped talking as an angry Malon bopped him on the head.

"Father, stop polluting Link's mind with your filth," She lectured in a frustrated voice.

Link was glad to know Malon was on his side. He smiled and looked at her, only to see her give him a suspicious glare.

Malon was not on his side.

"Honestly, men! Talking about girls as if they were possessions!" Malon complained, hands on her hips and face upturned.

"Ah Malon, it's not like that!" Talon protested. "I was just trying to have a little fun with Link here."

"I think you've had plenty of 'fun' for the night father." Malon said.

"Ah come on, don't be like that sweetie!" The drunken man complained. "It's a party!"

"Ingo is already passed out drunk and soon you will be too! No more alcohol!" The young woman declared.

"But Malon!" the older man whined.

"No but!" the young woman stamped her foot. "You've already drank enough!"

Link decided to defuse the situation. "Talon, I'm afraid I've had enough myself, perhaps I should be getting to bed,"

Talon scoffed. "What are you, a light weight? Why when I was your age I could drink twice what I drink—ow!" Malon hit her father on the head a second time

Malon grabbed Link and dragged him out of his seat.

"Hey!" Link objected weakly.

"Come on Link! leave this old drunk to his booze! Malon said, pulling Link with her out the door and into the yard.

After nearly a minute of walking Malon finally let go of Link outside the coral. It was already completely dark out, and the stars could be seen in the sky. It was the exact same sky as when he visited the ranch in his original timeline after Ingo took it over.

"You know," Malon began, "We are really grateful for your help."

In his half drunken state Link wasn't sure he heard correctly but Malon actually sounded grateful.

"Like I told Talon, I really didn't do much. Princess Zelda made the decision," Link explained

"But you cared," Malon argued. "And you told her what would happen to us. If that law had passed we could have never dealt with the taxes."

"Well, glad to help then . . ." Link stammered

They both fell silent. Link was worried in his drunken state he would say something stupid.

"Say, do you still have that ocarina?" Malon asked, looking at the sky.

Link nodded. He carried the Ocarina of time wherever he went, it rarely left his person.

Malon continued looking at the stars. Then, slowly she began to sing, Epona's song: the same song she always song.

For a moment, Link listened to the nostalgic melody. Then, he reached into his pack and took out the ocarina. Putting it to his lips he began to play along.

Together the two played Epona's song for too long for Link to keep track of.

"You remembered . . ." Malon said, face flushed, almost as if she was also drunk.

The two locked eyes for at least a minute before Malon grabbed Link and kissed him.

The kiss seemed to last a long time. His mind flushed with alcohol Link tried to embrace Malon, only for her to push him away.

"I . . . I have to go to bed!" Malon declared in a panicked voice, before running back to the house.

Link continued to stand there in the field, his mind slowly trying to process what happened. Had he offended her someway? Grabbed somewhere he wasn't supposed too? He wasn't sure.

Unable to find answers he walked back to the house. Talon and Ingo were both passed out in the living room. Link walked up the stairs. For a moment he considered knocking on Malon's door but decided against it. Instead he proceeded to the guest room, took his clothes off and fell into a deep sleep.

"How was your trip to Lon Lon?" Zelda asked, stirring her tea.

Link took a deep sip of his tea to hide his reaction. "Oh well the owner tried his best to get me drunk. I tried to explain to him that I didn't do anything."

He didn't mention the kiss or the awkward morning afterword where he and Malon tried to hide their embarrassment from a hung over Talon.

"That's not true Link," Zelda said. "You gave the opposition a moralistic voice to rally behind which gave me a good excuse to kill the law."

"Oh, I see," Link said. Politics was still a bizarre arena to him. "Glad I could help."

"What you're doing is very important Link." Zelda explained. "We cannot let the reforms my father put in place be eroded in a moment of weakness."

Link nodded. He could agree with that. Most of the nobles he had met with the exception of some soldiers and a few people at court were self-interested and arrogant. The less power they had over people's lives that better.

"The priesthood is still trying to block my way to the throne. As I see it I have three options," Zelda explained. "One, we go over their heads, and suppress any dissent. This risks assassination or even war but it's the quickest way. Two, I give into their demands and marry someone from their faction. This is unacceptable."

Link agreed. The idea of Zelda with one of those snots at court was disconcerting.

"And three, we enter into backdoor negotiations. We give them something they want in exchange for their blessing. They key to that is to find something they want that will not affect my long term plans. "Zelda continued.

"I'm partial to number one." Link said. He didn't want another fight but he really hated the idea of giving anything to people who were so in the wrong.

Zelda took a sip of tea and smiled. "I would like to agree with you, but of course I can't risk the nation's stability over my personal ambitions. Number three is what is best for Hyrule."

Link took a drink himself, He had gotten used to drinking tea with the princess, though he lacked the grace she had when doing it. "So what are you going to give them?"

Zelda shook her head. "I don't know yet. First we have to find the right people to bribe, then we have to find out what they want, and then we have to manipulate them into accepting as little as possible," she explained.

Link frowned. "The world 'bribe' sounds dirty."

The princess sighed. "It's an unfortunate part of politics. Before the civil war it was even more common. We've come a long way to breaking the power of the aristocracy, but there are still issues in the army and bureaucracy. In any case it can't be helped."

"I guess I understand," Link said, not having many thoughts one way or another on the subject. He still didn't like bribery, but life had taught him a thing or two about lax authorities and ways to get around them.

"Link, I want you to keep your ears open, most of the nobility hates you, but the military respects you. They will say things to you they wouldn't open up about to someone who didn't fight in the Gerudo campaign, even to me." Zelda said.

"Of course, I'll pass along anything I overhear," Link said, nodding. "There's always someone who can't keep his mouth shut." Link's many adventures had proven that to him.

"Link . . . you're the only one I can rely on here. It's been hard since Impa left." Zelda gave Link a funny look he had seen women give him a few times before, Mostly from Ruto. "You'll always be there to help me, won't you?"

"Of course," Link said. After everything they had been through he didn't even have to think about it. Leaving was not even an option.

Zelda gave Link a bright smile. "I'm glad."

So another chapter done. Sorry it's been awhile, I've been working on my web novel, which you should totally read, and a lot of Youtube scripts so I haven't had the time.

So some explanations: I prefer to think a good story doesn't need them but here I go. Like a lot of Zelda fics I created nobility. But you never really see nobility in the games beyond knights and retainers like Impa, so I created a reason for them not being present. But at the moment Zelda needs an obstacle so I figure the nobility can still use money and connections at court to impede progress.

I am trying to keep Link true to the very minimal character we get in OOT. As a silent protagonist he only has so much personality. One thing we notice is that he is very popular with girls, though he rarely if ever seems to act on their attentions, what with saving the world and all. But now that's done so we just have a guy who girls are attracted to but doesn't have a lot of experience managing a relationship.

As for Talon, well he is lazy and is shown drunk at the end of the game. Besides its implied even as a little girl Malon has to keep him in line ,the poor thing.

I intend to at least finish this story though I don't know when new chapters will come out. I will hint though that lots of reviews might motivate me to finish it sooner. Until then, please keep reading.

-Gedaemon