Aline trudged across Hyrule Fields. It was a long expanse of land in the center of Hyrule. It was not particularly unpleasant, walking through the desert was much worse but it was very very empty. There were monsters every now and again which Aline dispatched quickly, otherwise it was just a lot of land that no one seemed interested in developing. Almost as if the fields had heard her thoughts over the next hill Aline saw a structure, it was more or less walled off from the rest of the fields, no doubt to keep the monsters out.
It was daring of these folks to continuing living this far from civilization what with the strange happenings that had been taking place in the land recently, ancient monsters awakening, anyone of them could raze this place to the ground.
Aline decided that if anything else she need some new supplies, her food was almost run out. As she approached she saw an old sign hanging that read, "Lon Lon Ranch". It was made with care but clearly had seen better days. Aline glanced up the path to make sure no one was coming before she took a pick and tension wrench of her a leather pouch and set about opening the padlock that kept the gate shut. It was an old thing that should have been replaced years ago and so Aline had no difficulty sliding the tumblers into place. With a satisfying click the lock cracked open. Aline slid it off the gate pushed it open and set the lock on the ground just inside.
As Aline walked up the path she came across a girl. Her skin was pale by Gerudo standards but tanned likely from working outside, her hair was red, perhaps a little duller than Aline's natural color but it accented her blue eyes nicely. She was wearing a white blouse and had a yellow banana tied round her neck, her skirt was modest and pale pink with a belt that had the Triforce inscribed upon it. She was lugging a bucket of milk.
When she saw Aline coming up the path the girl gave a small gasp and dropped the bucket. It fell on its side and creamy milk saturated the road. Feeling guilty Aline ran towards it and pushed the bucket back up before anymore of its contents could be lost.
"I'm really sorry, I ain't trying to cause any trouble or nuttin'." Aline said looking up at the girl.
"No it's my fault, we aren't used to getting visitors out this far. How did you get in by the way, the gate's supposed to be locked."
Thinking on her feet Aline chose the simplest lie. "Wasn't when I got there, there was an old rusty padlock lyin' on the ground though."
The girl gave an exasperated sigh, Papa'll have forgotten again. I swear the only thing he ever thinks of are sleep and his Cuccos. My name's Malon by the way, yours?"
"Alexandra but most just call me Alex, listen I've been on the road awhile, was looking for somewhere to board and some food to take with me when I go. I've got ruppees, can pay ya for it."
Malon smiled, "Visitors are always welcome, it gets right lonely all the way out here. Come on I'll fix you something to eat, you look like you could use a good meal."
The sun had been setting when Aline had arrived at the ranch and by the time she and Malon (her father was likely elsewhere) were finished a supper of hot stew it was well dark outside. Malon was kind enough to show Aline to a spare room. It was modest but much more comfortable than anything Aline had ever had living at the Gerudo complex. Everything there was purely functional, only the King possessed quarters that steered more towards comfort.
Aline crawled between the covers and as she was drifting off she heard a sweet melody coming from the pastures, Malon must be singing to the horses. With that tune in her head Aline fell into a deep sleep.
She was awakened roughly the next morning by a ball of blue light, "I've found you I've found you I've found you!" it shouted bouncing up and around in the air far too happy for this early in the morning. Not of course that Aline was lazy, she was capable of going from deep sleep to a weapon in hand in a matter of seconds when the time called for it however unless this fairy turning into something actually interesting this was not one of those times.
"Princess Zelda needs to see you at the castle at ONCE! All the sages are gonna meet there! Hurry up! Wake up you lazy bum and rub that sleep out of your eyes! Honestly, how can the fate of the whole world rely on such a lazy person! C'mon already! Zelda'll answer all your questions when we get there!"
Aline was tempted to laugh, her one of the sages. The Goddesses must truly have a deplorable sense of humor. The next instant however it occurred to her what this actually might be. It was far to convent that she was one of the great sages and was needed at the Castle a place full of Hylean guards that had been trying to capture her for years. There was a far more likely scenario. Finally fed up with false sighting of her and leads that went no where the guards had resorted to magic to bring her.
In one swift movement Aline drew a curved scimitar from her back and pointed it with deadly aim at the fairy. If necessary Aline was fully capable of slicing the creature in half. Then again, on the off chance that this glowing bug was telling the truth she may as well give it a chance to explain.
"Alright Fairy, ya've got about two minutes to prove this ain't a hoax before I cleave ya in two."
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