Keeping Nightmares In the Light

Keeping Nightmares In the Light

By: Haunted

Rated M for Mature, must be 18 years or older to read

Disclaimer: I, in no way profit from writing this story. All the characters belong to the maker of Zelda, O.O.T.

Summary: Malon finds a man dressed in black with severe wounds, lying half dead on her way from town. Taking pity on his battered body she stops to take a moment to treat his wounds. A later turn of events leads her to some unexpected places she thought she would never get to see, and might not want to.

Note: if you don't like Dark Link, who will be known as Knil, in this story, paired with Malon, don't read. And btw, this is my first story, crits welcome, but please no flaming, only constructive criticism if you have any suggestions.

Many thanks to Raynee, and Emeraldcrow, on for their reviews. This chapter is dedicated to the both of them, for making me remember this story and to try and continue what I started.

Raynee: Thanks I thought so too, that's why I'm writing this, and plus I like Dark Link, even though you don't see much of him. Sorry for the delay.

Emeraldcrow: Thank you for your support, I was gonna actually scrap this story, I wasn't sure if anyone would like it, let alone I wasn't sure if I even liked it. Your encouragement is much appreciated!

************THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN UPDATED*******

Chapter Two: Wonder

"Malon"

"Hmmm… I guess that will do." He feigned a look of 'thinking' to add effects.

Malon closed her eyes for a moment, trying to summon her thoughts into working order to phrase her question. His proximity was thrilling and at the same time unnerving, as a cold heat rushed over her.

"W-who are you?" Opening her cerulean orbs to pierce him with an untrusting stare, still reminding herself that this was an enemy hovering above her, not Link. Though… 'No' she told herself, stopping her mind from going further.

"Me? I don't have a name. They call me Links Shadow." His voice was a mix of haughtiness and disgust as he spat out the words. Suddenly he stood up in one fluid movement, her mind barely registered it, until he roughly grabbed her arm and pulled her up. His ruby orbs suddenly dark and angry, full of loathing hatred for his counterpart.

Guilt consumed her at his words, to be known as nothing but someone's shadow, instead of yourself, must be hard.

"Would you like a name?" She asked softly, her blue eyes staring into his.

Her question gave him pause, his face was totally blank, he hadn't expected her to say that. No one, in all his half-life, had thought that he needed a name. The thought almost thrilled his sour mood, almost; a name would mean he would be distinguishable from the Hero of Time, not just The Hero's Shadow.

He stared at her cautiously, glaring at her, "Do not joke with me, such acts will result in your death by my hand. Why would you want to give me a name?" He held her by her shoulders, his grip tight as his red orbs locked with hers, waiting to see if she was lying.

His gaze unnerved her, and his grip bit into her skin painfully, but she answered anyway as calmly as she could in a soft voice that got the point across better than any screaming could. "Everyone needs a name."

Those four simple words had branded themselves comfortably in his memory, hitting him full in the face with their truth and honesty. "And what name, pray tell, would you give 'someone' like me?"

She closed her eyes to think, listening as everything went silent around her, Nyx had since stopped trying to attack, and seemed to be listening, like everything else, with baited breath for her response.

Taking her time she thought about it long and hard, surprised when the dark being before her waited without complaint. He was dark yes, a perfect mirror image of Link, except color and personality, 'Link… Link… the backwards spelling of the name Link, is, KNIL!' she thought silently, making a happy sound in her throat at her accomplishment.

He waited for what seemed like forever, all eyes seemed to be on her, as he mulled over this turn of events. He had never touched another 'person' before, if you don't count Link when he fought him. Remembering her light brushes with her hand against his cool chest made him shiver, he would never admit it out loud of course, but the skin on skin had contact felt nice.

Red orbs took in his captive, she looked to be at least 18, if not a little older, her form was full and feminine, with all the right curves in all the right places, or at least that's what he had gathered from the stories the other monsters had told after coming back from the Light World, or so they called it.

Thankfully, he was without the Hero's duties, which meant he could do as he pleased, and now that he was out of his prison, could wander freely and figure out this world, and see what lay in store.

He was brought out of his reverie, and was almost caught staring at her figure with unhidden curiosity, before he quickly brought his eyes back to hers, catching a strange noise that came from her, while a smile warmed her slightly tanned face.

Her eyes flashed open as she stared at him triumphantly, as though she had figured out some difficult puzzle. "Your name should be Knil. What do you think?" Her face melted to hopeful.

He just stared at her after thinking a moment, "That's just Link backwards." He pointed out with a single raised eyebrow.

"I know, but you two are opposites so it fits, right? I mean, what could it hurt, you even have a silent letter in your name, so it all works out. But if you don't like it I'll just-" He cut her off then, as her words trailed to worry.

"No. Knil is fine." He stepped back from her, releasing his hold, and turned towards her horse.

Eyeing the animal curiously he walked up slowly, raising a hand as the large stallion reached out to sniff him. Unsure as to what caused this action he allowed the great beast its time before he thought it satisfied as it began to nod it's head; taking a few more steps till he was at his side and placing a weary hand on Nyx's neck.

His gaze took in the figure, trying to decipher just what it was, before giving up in frustration, in a quick switch of moods he whirled around to where Malon was standing shocked.

"What is this beast called and what purpose does it serve?" He tried to sound nice, but it came out a little agitated; his mind was beginning to get overworked with all these new things hitting him all at once, and it did nothing for his disposition.

When 'Knil' had started towards her horse, she was about to warn him about her animal's behavior towards strangers, -though he was the enemy, she found herself somewhat at ease with his presence- when Nyx checked him over and nodded his approval.

She could have sworn her jaw just broke, as her eyes went wide and her mouth hung at an impossibly agape angle. He hadn't even liked Link until he visited a few times and was riding on Epona, and yet this darker form of him was being accepted readily. Her brain stopped working and she wondered if this was a dream.

His voice broke through the air and she quickly righted herself, no, this was definitely not a dream, her somewhat sore shoulders were proof of that. Blinking a few times stupidly before she came up with a suitable reply.

"Nyx" she pronounced his name clearly, "Is a horse, a stallion to be exact, or male if you don't know what that means either. He is a riding animal, and can carry other stuff as well as humans." She pointed to the leather pack hanging from either side of Nyx's withers (top of horses shoulders) "We use a saddle to sit on their back, but can also ride them without one. See?"

She was unsure as to why she was helping Link's 'enemy', but his curiosity put her in teacher mode and she felt obligated to help him understand, since she used to teach children how to ride and definitions for everything. He may have been evil, but his childlike questions made her wonder if that was the truth.

He nodded, absorbing the new information greedily. Maybe this 'Malon' woman could help him in his explorations of this land, since she knew so much about the things in it.

"You will show me." He spoke with finality, arms crossing over his still bare chest.

She gave him an odd look, before blushing at the realization of his still half naked undress, but shrugged and did as instructed, what could it hurt?

Stepping towards her unusually quiet ride, she stood next to the saddle on his left side so Knil could watch. Placing her foot carefully in the only, and very unusually designed, stirrup connected to the saddle, and used it to help boost her up as she hopped on one foot expertly, left hand wound in his ebony mane, while her right was holding the front of the saddle, since there wasn't a horn.

She hauled herself up gracefully, standing with one foot in the stirrup for a moment, before swinging her right leg lightly over his back and lowered herself onto the saddle. She then pulled her foot out of the stirrup like step that seemed to be melded to the leather of the girth strap around the horses middle; so that it would not move or flap around while she rode, it was her own design and she was proud of it.

She loved sitting on Nyx, since he was a good sixteen hands high, or five feet and four inches, at the withers (top of horses shoulder) she could just see over his back, but while riding, it gave her the feeling that she was flying since he was so high off the ground, especially when he ran.

Knil watched her with veiled curiosity, faking a serious look, he was surprised that the slip-of-a-woman was able to make it up on the beasts back, he was about six feet tall, so he could see over the horses back and his shoulders were almost aligned with the top of the saddle.

"See?" She said giving him a bright smile, well if her horse could trust him, so could she, hopefully.

He chuckled, a somewhat dark sound, while shaking his head lightly. A wicked idea came to his mind, and he smirked up at her. "Indeed." Within moments he was behind her, sitting on the back of the large flat cushioned saddle.

Her head whipped around painfully as a gasp escaped, hot waves of pain were shot down her neck at the sudden movement, muscles screaming in protest. She looked at him fearfully for a moment, his presence was almost ghostly, but his touch was real as he placed his hands lightly on her hips.

Nyx hadn't even batted an eye, taking everything in stride; almost as if he knew it was going to happen.

Leaning forward, stopping just at her ear, he whispered in his deep baritone voice, "Now, you will show me the rest of this world."

She shivered and could feel her skin tighten into goose bumps, as a blush broke out across her cheeks and nose, almost as red as her hair. Turning her head forward again, so he wouldn't get the satisfaction of seeing her reaction, she spoke.

"Why should I?" she asked boldly, her shoulders and back straightening, and her chin lifting, "I am under no obligation to help you, you're still the enemy, whether you have my horses trust or not."

He nodded thoughtfully, true she didn't have too, but he didn't want to go looking for some strange person when he had this one already. A thought struck him, and he grinned devilishly.

"But I am hurt, surely you would not leave a man wounded." She peeked over her shoulder again, taking in the sight of his chiseled white chest, marred only by the bloodied bandage rapped around it.

Letting out a sigh in defeat she nodded, "Fine, until your healed, I will show you around Hyrule, though I have only been to my home ranch, Hyrule Town, and now here at Lake Hylia."

He smirked; his trap had caught her all too easily. He nodded, "Agreed, but we will have to change that, I do not plan on only seeing part of what there is, so we'll just have to do some exploring now wont we? Hmm?" He practically purred against her ear, making her back snap straight.

Her blush darkened so much it would make a tomato jealous, 'what did I just agree to?' she groaned in her mind. "First and foremost, we need to get your shirt back on, second, we have to go back to my house otherwise my family will get worried. And I have work I still need to do."

Smirk firmly in place he jumped off the horse, and practically floated to the ground, "Show Off!" she shouted as he reached his discarded shirt, and immediately regretted it when he sauntered all the way back, giving her a good show of his fit body, before finally placing the black torn garment back on, the cloth abruptly and mysteriously fixed of all tares.

He caught her pointed glance and looked down, shrugging he disappeared and reappeared behind her once more, before whispering in her ear "It's Magic."

She nodded dumbly, before shaking off the affects his voice had on her, concentrating hard on what lay ahead as she nudged Nyx forward, "Get up." Without further encouragement they were off at a light jog.

Behind her, she could feel Knil's large strong hands placed firmly on either hip, it made her nervous, no one ever touched her there, especially the opposite sex. But she reminded herself that it was so he could steady himself, and blew it off as just that.

She tried to ignore the slight warmth that radiated from his body, it was a chilling type of warm, that sent shivers down her spine, like someone was walking on her grave. But after a while she found herself getting used to it.

Nyx sped up to a full out gallop, causing Knil to hold on tighter to her, as they reached the two large fences preventing their exit. The silver buckskin soared over them both in rapid session like he had the first time, the added weight seemed none existent to him as he jumped with ease, landing lightly on the other side.

Though his gait was smooth as silk and his jump was perfect, the humans were still jostled slightly by the landing because of gravity, and Knil found himself leaning forward over Malon's back, before they were righted once more on the solid ground, once again streaking across the terrain under the full moon's rays.

The light brush of his torso and her back, caused goose bumps to erupt all over his body, and not because of the cold. Snorting lightly in his mind he shook himself from the dirty thoughts that threatened to litter it; not knowing what to do with them as of yet anyway.

With the silver light guiding them through the night, and the riding beast known as 'Nyx' carrying them to their next destination, Knil found himself relaxing, his head turning, his black hat blowing out behind him. The wind blew through his hair as well as Malon's, making it fly around him in a pleasant manner, gently brushing against his face.

It looked a lot better than the dark realm he came from, as well as the mirror room filled with nothing but a tree and water. He felt he was human, seeing this world with his own eyes, not just a shadow, or a monster, he almost felt, normal. He was almost, insignificant, to the happenings around him in this day-to-day life of Light Dwellers.

Malon stole a glance over her shoulder, just a quick one. The breath was knocked out of her at the sight that met her blue orbs.

He was beautiful, in the moonlight; his hair shimmered from the complimenting silver rays, his pale skin almost glowed, and black tunic blended in with the darkness behind him.

But it was his eyes, once thought as blood red evil, were cast into a red ruby shimmer. They were reminiscent to a Ruby gem being held in a fires light, no longer one solid color, but filled with different shades, the silhouette of flames dancing within; altogether the sight was breathtaking.

He noticed her stare and gazed back at her curiously, wondering what she could be looking at. She quickly averted her gaze to the road ahead once more, shaking her thoughts before they could occur, it was sinful to look at the enemy with want, 'but he's not my enemy, right?' So that made it acceptable, she hoped, because it had to be a crimee to look like him, and for a moment she had the brief notion that he looked better than the real Link.

She pulled her mind to the task at hand when she noticed that Nyx was carrying them through the brushy maze that was the entrance to Lon Lon Ranch. She took that time to compose herself, hoping to come up with an excuse for Knil's presence before she faced her father an Ingo; he didn't seem to be a danger so far.

She gave him a nervous glance, "Don't attack anyone please, no matter what they do, don't hurt them. Or else I won't help you." She hoped her threat would work, and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him give a curt nod, his face drawn into a serious, unreadable look. She took that as his way of giving her his word.

Taking a deep breath she looked ahead when Nyx stopped, her eyes immediately coming to rest on Ingo's face as he stared at her.

He seemed to snap out of it as he shook an angry finger at her, probably not yet seeing the man behind her, she winced at his tone "Malon Daniel Talon, where the hell 'ave you been, we've been worried sick about ya, it couldn't 'ave taken that long ta get ta town an come back, it's already nighttime young lady, and ya still have chores ta do, the animals need ta be brought inside an fed."

"Yes Mr. Ingo, I'm sorry to have worried you, I'll get right on that." She looked down shamefully.

"And another thing, ya can't go a gallivanting around, especially at night, ya should know this, ya could get mugged by them Gerudo Thieves, or stolen by some evil man, ya should be more careful! An don't think fur a second that I'm goin ta take care of all the animals and do your chores for ya just because you're late, ya know-" He was cut off in his tirade by a throat being cleared. He looked around for the source and when his eyes returned to Malon, his gaze was instead instantly locked with a pair of red piercing orbs, he gaped like a fish and pointed a shaky figure at the unknown dark man sitting behind Malon.

THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN UPDATED