Chapter Eight
Link cursed as he dropped the chest on his foot. “Watch it, that’s heavy,” warned Liam.
“That was a little late, wasn’t it?” asked Link as he hopped around the room, clutching his foot in pain.
The King had moved the two of them into a guestroom until their rooms could be restored. He didn’t bother to get two rooms because the guys didn’t mind. There were two of each main furnishing in the room, such as two beds and two desks. This was good because if there had been only one bed, the guys would have argued over who got the floor.
They had just finished moving the remains of their personal belongings into the room. Link had saved his entire desk and his chest with his valuables and weapons, as well as some things like clothes that hadn’t been destroyed, and Liam had found that everything inside closets, drawers, etc., was perfectly fine. It was four o’clock in the afternoon. Everyone had woken up at three in the afternoon thanks to the ball. Because it was being held so late, people just slept really late. Link and Liam had slept in this room last night, and now they had truly claimed it as their own by throwing their clothes all over the floor.
For a while, they sat and talked about some dance partners they had the nights before. Link told Liam how to answer some mysterious questions the girls asked, and Liam told about girls he had met, but Link had not. “Stay away from that Zora girl. I think she really wants to gain power or something. She dropped several hints about how powerful you must be, and how lucky the girl you marry would be, et cetera. Beware of her. She’s not even worth dancing with.”
“Thanks. That’s one less person I have to dance with. Oh, and if anyone asks if you’ve been to Holodrum, say just once, and it wasn’t exactly a good time to visit. The girls will think you’re me because I’ve only been there once, and things weren’t pretty.”
“I know.”
They talked some more about this. Then, Liam brought up the subject that made Link really nervous. “What are we going to do about Fairy and Butterfly? They are definitely onto us.”
“I know. I don’t know what to do. Our plan was perfect. We wouldn’t be seen near each other, so no one would suspect. If they hadn’t followed us to your rooms, this wouldn’t have happened. I just don’t know what to do.”
“Do you know where they’re staying?”
“Fairy said they were at Lon Lon Ranch, but do you think it would be wise for me to show up there?”
“I think you should give it a shot. Maybe you could send a messenger in to say that you wish to speak with Malon alone, and she could meet you outside the walls to talk.”
“Good idea. Do you want to come?”
“No thanks. I was actually going to talk to Zelda.”
Link’s face grew grim.
Liam shook his head. “Don’t worry, I’m going to talk sense into her. She’s just being a bitch.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem. Good luck and be back by eight o’clock or so.”
“Okay. See you later.”
Link saddled up Epona, his trusty horse, and started out for the Ranch. He didn’t even have to go inside, right? He could just wait. The messenger he had sent for rode quietly behind him.
Finally, they reached the Ranch. The messenger went inside. Link waited, half-expecting to suddenly hear the screams of girls as they heard about just who was outside the walls, but none came. He sighed and waited some more.
Malon returned with the messenger. She seemed to be very confused. “Link, what are you doing here?” she asked. “Someone might see you! Why are you taking such a risk?”
“I don’t have too many questions. I just need to know about two of the girls who are staying here.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You are housing people, right? For the balls, I mean.”
“Yes, we are, but I don’t know what girls you’re talking about.”
Link stared at her incredulously. “You aren’t housing a redhead and a light brunette?”
“No. In fact, we aren’t housing any women at all. Only a bunch of guys from Labrynna.”
“But they told me they were staying here!”
“Well, they aren’t. Sorry, Link. Do you know where they’re from?”
“They said they were form Racona, but I’m not sure I should believe them…”
“I heard that most of the ladies from Racona are staying at the Dancing Dog Inn in Hyrule Castle Town.”
“Most?”
“Well, I did hear about some staying at the Soaring Sky Inn, but it was just a rumor, and it might have been about ladies from Holodrum.” She shook her head. “I can’t really help you.”
“No, actually, you helped a lot. You’re coming tonight, right?”
“Actually, I haven’t been to any of the balls. I was invited, but I’m way too busy. Besides,” she said with a smile, “if you had wanted me for your wife, you wouldn’t need to meet me again at this ball. You already know what I’m like normally.”
“Yeah, shallow and irritable all the time. I don’t know how I can stand you.”
“Well, you’re a beast when you’re drunk.”
“Hush, don’t tell the world!”
He bid her goodbye and he and the messenger rode back to the Castle. Malon was right. He didn’t love her like that, and they certainly wouldn’t be happy as a married couple. With these thoughts settled, his mind returned to Fairy and Butterfly.
They were definitely hiding something. First of all, on the first night, they had arrived late and had tried to cover it up. Then, Fairy had been upset about Butterfly dancing with anyone, and said it was because it might spoil her chances with Link. If this wasn't suspicious, they had very fine costumes, so they must be very wealthy.
Then, they came late again last night without an explanation. They followed Link and Liam upstairs. It was very weird.
And they had lied about the Ranch. It made more sense now. When Fairy had said they were staying at the ranch, she had she had been lying. She didn’t know who Malon was, or at least she didn’t know her. When Link had asked if Malon was there, Fairy said yes, but she wouldn’t tell him which costume. This was a lie as well. Malon wasn’t there, and even if she was, Fairy didn’t know what costume, so she pretended she knew, but wouldn’t tell.
Why had they lied? They could have just not told him anything. Link just couldn’t figure it out. Plus, he didn’t have a lead like they did. The girls knew that any guy at the balls could be Link, so he was now a major suspect. Yet he had no clue about any of the girls that were attending. So, Link resolved to check the guest list the next day to find out exactly who these two young women might be. The King said he’d find a list and leave it on his desk.
