Chapter 15
Epona recognises her.
Malon can only stare, stunned, as Link pats an old companion's flanks before lifting herself up into the saddle.
With a small sob, Malon passes the reins to her.
Link escapes Hyrule before it can engulf her, leaving behind the death and destruction she knows is coming to the land in a flurry of hooves. At the very least, she will live through what is left of her childhood. Not spend it trapped in the Temple of Time.
Link stops briefly at a place she once called home in another life. Slogs through forest with mist so thick she can barely see the flame in front of her. A place that’s forgotten its own name.
Its inhabitants recognise her, however, and it’s the creatures of the forest who take Link to where she needs to go. Glowing eyes and a child's echoing laughter lead her just short of a crumbling temple barely visible through fog. It's not that place that's of interest to her anymore, but rather the spirit that continues to linger around it.
It her Link needs to see.
Link. A whisper on the wind. Faint joy. Not much left of an old friend she used to cherish more than life itself, but when Link looks down an ocarina is in her hands.
Link looks up and smiles. A once-love smiles back.