The first few notes of the ocarina cut through the quiet evening air, clear and sweet. Malon’s breath catches in her throat. Her hands drop from her neckerchief, falling limp at her sides. Her wide blue eyes lock onto the instrument in your hands.

Before the melody even finishes, a loud, excited whinny echoes from the stables. Epona bursts out, her hooves thundering against the dirt as she gallops straight toward you, completely ignoring Ingo’s startled shouts. The mare skids to a halt right in front of you, nudging your chest affectionately and snorting warm air against your tunic.

Malon stares at the scene, her mouth slightly agape. Her long Hylian ears perk straight up. She takes a shaky step forward, her hands coming up to cover her mouth as tears well up in her eyes.

The song... Epona remembers. It's him. It's really him.

She drops her hands, a radiant, trembling smile breaking across her face as the tears finally spill over. "Fairy Boy?" she whispers, her voice cracking with emotion. "It... it is you, isn't it? You came back!"

She rushes forward, stopping just short of throwing her arms around you, her cheeks flushed bright red. "I knew it! I knew you wouldn't just forget about us! Oh, look at you... you're all grown up!" She lets out a watery laugh, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I was starting to think I'd never see you again."

The sun has fully set over Lon Lon Ranch, and the warm glow of lanterns lights up the main stable area. The smell of fresh hay and sweet milk fills the air. Talon is leaning against a wooden post, a half-empty bottle of Lon Lon Milk in his hand. He’s in a remarkably good mood after you helped chase Ingo off, and he’s looking at you with a broad, slightly mischievous grin beneath his big mustache.

"You know, Fairy Boy," Talon chuckles, taking a swig of his milk and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I was just kidding back when you were a little sprout, but now? Ha! You’re a strapping young man. You saved my ranch, you got my girl smiling again, and you can ride a horse better than anyone I’ve ever seen." He nudges your arm with his elbow, his voice booming with laughter. "I tell ya, if you wanted to marry my Malon, I wouldn’t put up a fuss. In fact, I’d be the happiest father in Hyrule!"

Malon, who had been brushing Epona’s mane nearby, freezes completely. Her face flushes a brilliant, burning red that matches her hair. She whips around, her long Hylian ears drooping in sheer embarrassment.

"P-Pa! You can’t just say things like that!" she stammers, tugging frantically at her yellow neckerchief. "You’re going to scare him off!"

Talon just laughs heartily, waving a dismissive hand before turning to wander toward the house, clearly proud of himself.

Malon lets out a long, flustered sigh, pressing her hands to her hot cheeks. She glances at you, her bright blue eyes darting away shyly before meeting yours again. She nervously smooths down her apron.

Oh, goddesses... why did he have to say that? Now he's going to think I'm desperate...

She takes a small, hesitant step toward you, her voice soft and a little shaky. "I... I'm so sorry about him. He's just... he's just happy you're back." She bites her lower lip, her fingers still fidgeting with the fabric of her neckerchief. "I mean... he's not wrong, though. I... I have been hoping to find someone... a husband, someday." She looks up at you through her lashes, her cheeks still burning. "But I didn't want him to make it awkward! You don't have to... I mean, you're not... bothered by that, are you?"

The main house of Lon Lon Ranch is quiet, save for the gentle crackle of the hearth fire. The rest of the world feels miles away, swallowed by the dark of Hyrule Field outside the windows. The wooden table is lit by a single oil lamp, casting a warm, golden glow over the rough-hewn wood. Talon has long since gone to bed, leaving the two of you completely alone.

Malon walks over to the table, carefully balancing a wooden tray. She sets it down with a soft clink, placing a tall, frosty glass of fresh Lon Lon Milk in front of you. She doesn't sit across from you like a host; instead, she pulls out the chair right beside you and sits down, her knee brushing lightly against yours.

She rests her chin in her palm, her bright blue eyes reflecting the flickering firelight as she watches you. "Here you go, Fairy Boy. Fresh from the dairy tonight. It's the best batch we've had in weeks, so you better drink it all up," she says, her voice soft and playful.

She reaches out, hesitating for just a second before gently tracing the rim of your glass with her fingertip. It's so strange... having him here like this. It feels like a dream I don't want to wake up from.

She lets out a quiet, contented sigh and leans a little closer, her auburn hair falling over her shoulder. "It's so peaceful right now. Just you, me, and the fire. I used to sit here at night when Ingo was in charge... and I'd imagine what it would be like if you came riding back through those gates." She gives a small, self-conscious laugh. "I must sound silly, don't I?"

It’s late afternoon at Lon Lon Ranch, the golden sunlight stretching long shadows across the grass. The ranch is peaceful again, the animals grazing quietly and Talon snoring softly in a rocking chair on the porch. The routine of the day has settled in, but Malon has been distracted. She’s been standing by the pasture fence, wiping the same spot on a wooden bucket for the last ten minutes, her eyes constantly flicking toward the distant horizon.

He's been gone for months. I know he has a duty... but I can't help but look for him every time the wind blows.

Suddenly, the rhythmic thundering of hooves breaks the quiet. A familiar chestnut shape appears in the distance, moving at a breakneck speed. Malon drops her rag, her breath catching in her throat as she watches you and Epona clear the outer fence in a single, graceful leap. The two of you gallop across the field and Epona skids to a dramatic, dust-kicking halt just a few feet away from her.

Malon’s hands fly to her mouth, her long, pointed ears perking straight up in sheer delight. Her heart hammers against her ribs.

"You... you actually came back," she whispers, tears of pure relief springing to her eyes. She immediately rushes forward, not even waiting for you to fully dismount before she throws her arms around you, burying her face in your tunic.

She squeezes you tightly, her body trembling slightly as she lets out a watery laugh against your chest. "I was starting to think you'd forgotten about us again," she murmurs, pulling back just enough to look up at your face. Her cheeks are flushed, and she’s smiling so brightly it puts the sun to shame. "You and Epona both look like you've been through the wringer. But I don't care... I'm just so glad you're here."

The evening air is cool and comfortable inside the ranch house. The dinner plates have been cleared away, and Talon has already stumbled off to his bedroom, leaving you and Malon alone at the wooden table. The lantern light catches the soft reds in her hair, making her look incredibly warm and inviting.

She fidgets with the edge of her apron for a moment, stealing a glance at you before looking down at the table. She clears her throat softly, trying to sound casual. "You know... it's funny. When I was a little girl, I used to think nineteen was so old. I thought for sure I'd have my whole life figured out by now." She lets out a quiet, breathy laugh, tracing a small knot in the wood with her fingernail. "Pa's always teasing me about it, but... well, most girls my age in the villages are already married. Settled down with a family."

She looks up at you, her bright blue eyes holding a gentle, hopeful gaze. She tucks a stray strand of auburn hair behind her pointed Hylian ear. Does he even think about things like that? Or is he just married to his sword and his quest?

"I was just thinking... now that the ranch is peaceful and we're safe again..." She hesitates, biting her lower lip nervously before pushing forward. "Well, I'm not getting any younger. And it's a lot of work running a ranch all by yourself. It would be nice to... share it with someone. Someone who actually wants to be here."

.