End of Legend of FIVE #2-Legend of FIVE #3

It took six hours for Trevor to travel to the ranch. The sun beamed down on Hyrule Field. Its golden rays warmed the grass and everything in it, as well as everyone and everything on its dirt roads. Trevor was chief amongst them. Sweat ran down his brow as he hauled his satchel and his weary soul across the otherwise beautiful terrain. Hyrule Field grew quiet after seven years of Ganondorf’s rule. Few probably dared to travel the fields, although it seemed as if nature took good care of itself despite the circumstances. Trevor only saw the grassy expanse. Then, the ranch’s outline appeared. Trevor remembered the round wall surrounding the estate. It was a semi-perfect circle made of oval dark toned stones for bricks. A gap in the wall served as the entrance to the ranch itself. When Trevor saw it, he paused. His heart pounded harder than ever before, like a drum, its rhythm still erratic. Four years. The thought of it astonished him. Trevor still waited for Hyrule to be a dream. His sudden voyage to this new world turned Hyrule into an unwanted home. The same thing happened when he escaped the ranch. Trevor simply traded one strange place for another, just when he began to get used to living here. Now Trevor had to face the place he never wanted to begin with. The thought caused him to tremble. Malon was here. He sensed her presence, or at least just had a good guess that there wouldn’t be anywhere else for her to go. Trevor had to hope that she was alright, that nothing happened to her. He had no choice but to hope. Trevor stepped inside the ranch, having to face what could no longer be avoided. When he walked onto the ranch’s grounds, it looked the same as it always had. Wooden walls surrounded Trevor as he trudged inside. The ranch’s familiar open air greeted his lungs and nostrils. Fragrant wildflower scents filled his senses and brought him back to the days where Hyrule grew quiet despite the cataclysm. Trevor remembered the horses, the sound of Malon’s voice, Talon sleeping beneath the shade of an oak tree and smiles. He always remembered the smiles. The ranch still looked vast when he gazed out at the open range. He saw the small hills the ranch had. Horses used to gallop across but they now stood inside the vast stable. Each one was stoic. They bowed towards the ground, pawing at the grass with their hooves. Trevor teared up seeing them. He scanned the horizon for her. Trevor wanted to see her. He looked and looked for Malon. He listened for her sweet singing voice in hopes of finding her in the air, but nothing came to him. The quiet in the ranch proved more unsettling than the silence of Hyrule Field. His heart wrenched at the emptiness. His hairs stood on end. Trevor suddenly realized something; he had to be on his guard. Ingo owned the ranch now. At any moment, Trevor could be found out and taken for an intruder. Who knew who stood guard in this place? Trevor kept his grip around the handle of his dagger. He had to beware of the possibilities at all times no matter what. Trevor trudged ahead with great caution, thinking about where he needed to go next. Trevor saw a wooden barn to his right. It was where the cows all stayed. Trevor remembered sows like Bessie and the like. One of the younger female cows was closing in on birthing age. Trevor wondered if the cow had a calf yet or was still chewing on its own cud enjoying the ranch’s peace—or whatever resembled it. He walked inside and looked around cautiously. Many cows were secured in their pens. They were as still as the horses in the stable, but this wasn’t all that different from what Trevor recalled of the cows when he lived on the ranch a few years back. They always rested and stayed put. Other things were different. Trevor glanced around, looking for Malon once again. His heart raced, hoping for sight of her. Many heaps of straw laid strewn across the mahogany barn floor. The bright yellow strings scattered across the floorboards like patches of wild grass that had been uprooted. Trevor tip-toed on the floor, but still heard the creaks beneath his feet. He saw another hint of yellow. It came from a dress. Trevor’s heartbeat turned soft. Her crimson hair still had a shimmer to it. She tied it into a ponytail on occasion and did so now. She sat at on a stool, hunched over at the side of a female cow that stood in the middle of the floor. Her hands worked away at the cow’s bright pink udder. A tin bucket waited underneath the cow, taking streams of milk that got pulled into the open container. Trevor stood frozen as Malon worked. He observed a little more closely, wanting to make sure he saw everything correctly. Was there something about her that said it wasn’t the girl he came to admire as a friend? Was it true that this was in fact Talon’s only child, the delight of his eye? Trevor looked at the young woman’s blue eyes. A sadness spread across them, accompanying a sullen face. She came across as someone who worked hard and fiercely as if her life depended on it. Perhaps it did nowadays. Trevor wanted to change that permanently. It was her. It was the true heir to Lon Lon Ranch. The young woman sitting beside the cow was none other than Malon. Malon sighed. She halted her work on the milking and used the back of her hand to wipe sweat from her brow. “I’m sorry for the slowness Mr. Ingo,” Malon said. “I’m working as hard as I can. Please don’t be hard on this one, she’s trying to preserve herself for motherhood.” Trevor looked around, quietly alarmed. He realized Malon didn’t know who just walked in. Ingo must have monitored her often. Trevor’s blood boiled at the possibilities of what might have happened in these past four years since he left. It sickened him to think about it and so he decided not to. Malon looked in Trevor’s direction. When she saw he wasn’t Ingo, a yelp escaped her mouth. She clamped her slender fingers over her mouth with widened eyes. After seeing that Trevor didn’t mean any harm, she lowered her hands to her chest and folded one over the other, taking a deep sigh of relief. “I apologize,” she said. “I—I thought you were my employer. I didn’t know we had ourselves a visitor.” “It’s fine.” Trevor couldn’t take his eyes off Malon. “It’s nice to meet you,” Malon said. “Welcome to Lon Lon Ranch. It’s a wonderful place for our animals.” “I have a feeling that it could be better.” Trevor stayed rooted into his spot on the barn floor. Malon stood up from the stool and slowly moved towards Trevor. “What brings you this way, stranger?” “Personal business,” Trevor said. “With the owner.” Malon nodded. “I’m sure he’d love to entertain you.” “Mmmm…I have a feeling he won’t.” Trevor direction. “Why’s that?” Malon’s head tilted to the side as her curiosity peaked. “Because I’m not looking for rupees,” Trevor said. “I’m looking to take care of the problems here.” Malon straightened herself out and leaned in closer towards Trevor. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to understand who stood before her speaking like this. She gasped. After covering her mouth and staring at Trevor for what seemed like forever, she rushed towards him and wrapped her arms around him. She sobbed into his shirt. Trevor hugged her back. “I’m reuniting with everyone,” he said, his voice breaking. Malon stayed pressed against Trevor’s tunic. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” said Malon. “I thought of you every day. Every single day.” “Same here.” Trevor had Malon look at him. He cupped her chin with his hand. “Why do you think I came back?” Malon nodded. “I guess it was to protect me. Or save me and Papa. Papa’s gone, though. Mr. Ingo kicked him out.” “I know. But your father’s fine. He’s in Kakariko and he misses you so much.” Malon’s lips trembled. “He’s…alive?” Trevor offered a hopeful smile to Malon. “He didn’t give up all the way. There’s one thing keeping him up and at it. That’s you.” Malon’s tears kept pouring. Trevor was glad that there was joy mixed in there with the grief she must have felt these past four years. She cried again and let Trevor hold her. “I need to take you to him,” Trevor said. “Let’s go together OK? Let’s get out of here, you and me. Does that sound like a plan?” Malon nodded. “I don’t mind that idea at all.” “Then let’s go.” Malon looked around the barn. Though she felt joyful seeing Trevor again, he could tell there was hesitation in her eyes. He wrapped an arm around Malon’s shoulder, ushering her closer to the barn door. Malon’s weight didn’t feel right. Trevor felt like he was dragging her away from the cows. He stopped short of the door, looked straight at Malon and held her by the shoulders at arm’s length. “OK,” he said. “What’s going on? You can tell me.” Malon sighed and shook her head. “Trevor…I’m glad to see you. Really, I am…but I can’t just leave. Mr. Ingo…he says he’ll hurt the animals if I ever get out of line. It’s been that way for four years.” Trevor grimaced. He knew Malon told the truth. Malon had strong connections to every animal on the ranch. From the horses to the cows to the other livestock that lived all around the land. Ingo seemed like the sort to stoop low and threaten what Malon lived for. It caused Trevor to burn up even more on the inside, more than he already had since his exile. “I won’t let that happen,” Trevor said. “I refuse to.” Trevor felt himself shaking at the promise. He quickly let go of Malon and turned to walk out the door. The image of Ingo’s smug smirk seared his memory. A swell rose in Trevor’s chest. Before he could push the door open, Malon grasped at his arm, holding him by the elbow. “Trevor,” she whispered. “Don’t do anything you’ll regret. You’re better than that.” Trevor looked back at Malon. The plea in her eyes gave him second thoughts. Though he disliked Ingo—no, hated him with a passion—Trevor couldn’t afford to block off his better side of being. Malon had a point. They were better than Ingo. Talon proved more noble, kind, and gentler than Ingo as well. To win, they had to confront Ingo…but then they simply had to do whatever it took to stop him. He didn’t have to be hurt to make this so. “I need to tell him to back off and leave the ranch,” said Trevor. “You have my word that nothing else will happen.” Malon still looked worried but let her fingers slip away from Trevor’s arm. “Be careful,” Malon whispered. “Of course.” Trevor kissed Malon on the forehead. He didn’t know why he did it. If he had anything to do with his own fate today, the two would see each other again. They’d get off the ranch, head straight to the village and pick up Talon to bring him home. Everything would be well. Trevor believed this. “I’m going to be fine,” Trevor said. “Wait here.” Trevor walked out of the barn and headed towards the stables. His strides were wider than ever before. He felt himself getting taller in his posture. The image of Ingo flashed in his head again. Trevor fought to keep the anger deep inside. When Trevor approached the stable’s wooden fence, he saw him. Ingo didn’t age much over four years, but he definitely changed his look. Gone were the stained lavender overalls and dark green undershirt to go with worn brown boots. Every piece of Ingo’s attire was erased. In its place was a fancy upperclass getup. Trevor saw Ingo as a makeshift Shakespeare. He had a silk long sleeve shirt with one of those frilly collars shaped like a large disk. His pants were sleek and light blue. Gel made his balding hair shimmer and shine in the Hyrulean sunlight. The smugness remained. Trevor still wanted to wipe the satisfied look right off Ingo’s face. He settled for walking up and glaring at him. Ingo didn’t take kindly to the approach—nor did he seem to recognize Trevor. “I would truly appreciate it if you changed your walk,” Ingo said. “And why the angry look? I don’t like trespassers coming through like this. May I help you?” Trevor’s nostrils flared. He had to dial back the rage but the fire kept burning deep within him and he wished to let it out. After letting out a deep sigh, he pointed at Ingo. “You never were worthy,” said Trevor. Ingo’s eyes grew wild with disbelief. He had an anger himself, a rage that came from an apparent stranger attacking his character. “How dare you,” Ingo said. “I’m the owner of Lon Lon Ranch. I have favor with the Great Ganondorf, King of all Hyrule. How dare you say I’m not worthy! Who are you, sir? I can make sure that you and your kin answer to the great one.” “I’ve crossed him once or twice before. I survived then, I think I’ll live now.” Ingo scoffed. “A young man like you, facing the Great Ganondorf. That is swell. And I suppose you’re going to get the crown from him and rule the land?” “Taking this ranch off your hands will do just fine for me,” Trevor declared resolutely. Ingo laughed and gestured around the estate. “You want my ranch? Ha! Are you taking over my business, boy?” “I’m teaching you respect.” “Learn to give some yourself.” “Not to someone who betrayed the only family I had and stole this from them.” Ingo’s amused look dropped right off his face. His eyes grew wild again, but a mix of shock came with it. The man’s body sagged and slouched as if his weight were too much to hold up. Trevor didn’t mind seeing Ingo look like this. It was a pleasure to know that he could instill fear into the man. “Well,” said Ingo. “I do wish the soldiers killed you all those years ago. They never caught you, they said. Your steed was too fast to catch.” “I’m not easy to take down,” Trevor said. “And I don’t think I’m going to go down anytime soon. But you will.” Ingo backed away from Trevor. His body tremored as he held up both hands. A shaky smile of sorts appeared on his face. “L-l-look here,” said Ingo. “I understand how you’re feeling. Truly, I do. But Trevor…we can work this part out. We can make sure that you and I can make it all work. The ranch should still be mine. And you probably want Malon back, right? For her papa. Good…good. We can arrange a deal. We can all win.” “No,” Trevor said. “It’s the whole ranch and Malon or nothing at all.” “Let’s make a wager then,” said Ingo. “I won’t go down so easily, no! But we can make a wager to make it a fair shot at everything. Let’s have a race.” “A race?” Trevor echoed. Ingo pointed at Trevor eagerly before gesturing at the horses. “We can settle it with our choice of horses. Over a race. You win, everything here is yours. If you lose, you must leave and never come back—lest you want something bad to happen to Malon.” Trevor’s eyes burned with new rage. He wanted to take out the sword and harm Ingo right then and there. Then, he thought of Malon. What would she think if she saw him do such a thing. It’d break her heart. It’d cause Trevor to lose her no matter what came of this. “Her dad suffers because of you,” said Trevor. “You deserve far worse than what I have in mind for you.” “Today’s the day to see if I end up in that way,” Ingo said. “Do we have a deal, Trevor? It’s so good to have you back in Hyrule, by the way.” Trevor could have glared a hole through Ingo. His face hurt from the way he scrunched it up from all his rage. He flung his arm straight out, offering his hand. Trevor cringed when Ingo grasped it. The two shook. Ingo smirked and Trevor’s gut swirled around like the sea he fled to on account of this swine. “Choose your horse carefully,” Ingo said. He spread out his arms and let Trevor have his pick. Every horse looked subdued. This was the state of the ranch after Ingo took over. Every living creature, from the pigs to Malon herself, were trapped. Trevor wanted to give them all a way out of this space. He walked, observing every horse carefully. The choice suddenly became difficult to make. Ingo already mounted a steed; a caramel covered horse with strong legs and calves. It had a regal air to it, a type of nobility that showed how groomed the horse had been compared to other members of the livestock. Trevor made have been given slim pickings. He’s hustling me, Trevor thought.The man’s hustling me… Trevor didn’t think he’d find a horse that could live up to what Ingo was doing. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw her. Her hide was still a brilliant auburn crowned by a snow white mane. A peace existed in every step she took as she trudged around the inner stable. The horse’s shining eyes were like coal, and she looked more brilliant than Trevor had ever expected to see her. Epona…so good to see you again. Trevor faced Epona directly. He dug down deep to find some kind of melody in his voice. Malon’s voice was far more sweet to listen to. Trevor decided to stick to whistling. He let out the eleven notes that made Epona’s ears perk up. She always let out a little whinny, followed by her galloping right to whoever sang the song. Trevor was grateful for that. Trevor pet Epona’s head. He pressed his forehead against the white diamond on her brow and closed his eyes. “You’re Malon’s favorite,” he whispered. “Want to help out with it? Want to help Malon get free from the ranch, girl? Come on, let’s do it together." To Be Continued...