Malon

Malon is a recurring character in. In the majority of games she has appeared in, she is the daughter of the rancher Talon, who owns Lon Lon Ranch. Portrayed as a kind-hearted and responsible girl, Malon is often seen taking care of Epona, one of the ranch's horses. She also enjoys singing, specifically "Epona's Song."

Ocarina of Time
In, Malon is a young girl who loves to sing outside the Hyrule Castle's walls at night. She, along with Ingo, takes care of most of the duties at Lon Lon Ranch due to her father's laziness. Link first meets Malon, who calls him "Fairy Boy," in the Hyrule Castle Market where she was looking for her father. After Link finds Talon asleep and wakes him up using the Cucco that hatched from the Weird Egg Malon gave him, Malon returns to Lon Lon Ranch with her father. When Link goes visit her at the ranch, she introduces him to a young horse named Epona, and teaches the young hero "Epona's Song," a song Malon's mother had composed.

Seven years later, when Link returns to the ranch, he finds out that Ingo had exiled Talon and taken over the ranch. Malon was working for him out of fear of how the animals would be treated if she disobeys his orders. Moreover, since Ingo was planning to give Epona as a present to Ganondorf, Malon was the only one who could tame her. Malon tells Link that she had recognized him but was not sure until he told her his name. As a minigame, Malon lets him race around the ranch to compete against her best time. When he is able to beat her time, she rewards him by sending a Cow to his house in Kokiri Forest, which may be used as a free source of Milk. Should Link best his own time afterwards, Malon will simply compliment his and Epona's teamwork.

With the Mask of Truth, Link can learn from the Gossip Stones that Malon dreams for a knight to take her away. A Gossip Stone in front of the Temple of Time also says that Malon was the original record holder of the Lon Lon Ranch obstacle course, her record being 50 seconds.

Ocarina of Time is the only game in which Malon's mother is mentioned. She is most likely dead by the time of the events of Ocarina of Time, but it is clear she had a great influence on Malon and the others on the ranch. She was the one who composed "Epona's Song," which is said to be liked by everyone on the farm. Talking to Talon while wearing the Gerudo Mask or the Goron Mask causes him to say that it reminds him of his wife, but he quickly retracts that statement.

Oracle of Seasons
In, Malon plays a small role in the game's trading sequence. She lives with her father Talon north of Horon Village, where the two raise Cuccos. When Link first meets her, Talon has gone to climb Mt. Cucco and has left Malon to raise the Cuccos by herself; however, she confesses to the young hero that she does not know much about the hens. Link can help her by giving her the Cuccodex, an information database of Cuccos, in exchange for a Lon Lon Egg.

Four Swords Adventures
In, Malon appears on The Field stage. Upon arriving, the Links encounter Malon standing by herself. She tells them that she was running errands, but just as she was about to head back to her home, it started raining; furthermore, the Soldiers were moving all the Cannons. Helpless, Malon asks the four Links if she can accompany them until she gets back to Lon Lon Ranch with her father, Talon. During their travel, Malon can be killed by the castle guards, as she has only one Heart Container. Once the Links return her safely to the ranch, she admits that at first she was not sure she could count on them, but soon realized her mistake and acknowledges the Links as real heroes.

The Minish Cap
In, Malon and her father Talon are locked out of their house. Link can help them by shrinking and going into their house to find the Spare Key, which is inside a pot. Later on, Malon can be be found in Hyrule Town selling Lon Lon Milk for 100 Rupees alongside Epona. When Link speaks to Malon, she will briefly sing "Epona's Song."

Ocarina of Time Manga
Malon is first seen at a young age, after Link has played Saria's ocarina, which attracts Epona. The two ride off, just as Malon is calling for the missing steed. After retrieving the Goron Ruby with aid from Epona, Link readies himself to search for the final Spiritual Stone, but is delayed by the sound of singing, which he finds curious since it's late at night. Malon startles Link as he pets Epona, but exclaims her excitement at finally having a visitor. She gives Link a tour of Lonlon Ranch, introducing her father Talon and their ranch hand, Ingo. She becomes upset at her father snoozing with company present, but laughs and responds positively to Ingo's comment on her father's laziness. Eventually, Malon introduces herself, and tells of Epona's love for music. She then teaches Link Epona's Song. Link asks Malon where her mother is, revealing that she died when Malon was little. She says how singing at night makes her feel better, which Link relates to with his ocarina. Malon talks about her dream, where a prince comes to carry her away. She asks Link about his dream, although not too long later, an owl, who is Kaepora Gaebora, arrives. The owl explains to Link where the Spiritual Stone of Water is, so Link grabs onto his talons to reach Zora's Domain. Link promises Malon he will return, with Malon herself saying that he better.

Malon isn't seen again until the Ocarina of Time manga's part two. An adult Malon has become a prisoner of Ingo, who was brainwashed by Twinrova to lure Link in order to defeat him. As Ingo whips Lonlon Ranch's horses, Malon asks him to stop, where he replies that she is no longer the ranch's mistress, ordering her to obey him. She asks him why she is tied up, revealing the brainwashed man's plan to draw "him" out, but Malon doesn't realize the man Ingo speaks of is Link. Link spots Malon through the stable window, but is urged by Navi to go quietly, since Malon's captor may still be about. Malon begins to shed tears, thinking about how her life stinks, but still holds onto the belief that a prince will one day save her. Unexpectedly, Link falls in front of Malon. At first she doesn't recognize him, until he plays Epona's Song on the Ocarina of Time. Malon then becomes excited, asking why he is there, but loses interest once Link explains he has come to rescue her. She claims to be waiting for a prince, not a fairy child. Despite this, Link grabs her by the arm and dashes away. Before they can escape, Ingo and a band of Gerudo block their exit. Malon is amazed at how Link has grown up, watching him defeat the Gerudo warriors. She even goes as far to wonder if Link is the prince she has been waiting for. As Link and Malon try to figure out why Ingo is acting the way he is, Sheik arrives. When Sheik passes on a rumor of Princess Zelda being at the Haunted Wastelands, Malon notices Link's concern, and that he refers to her simply as Zelda instead of her full title. Malon becomes saddened, as she realizes her romance towards Link is hopeless. Grabbing a pitchfork, she then fights alongside Link to regain control of Lonlon Ranch. Once Link has undone Ingo's brainwashing, Malon and the men mount Epona and escape Lonlon Ranch until the Gerudo leave.

Malon is last seen bidding farewell to Link and Epona with her father and Ingo at the ranch. She finally calls Link "Hero" instead of "Fairy Child", promising to keep a cow just for him if he ever needs Lonlon milk.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
In, adult Malon appears as a Trophy.

Development
In an Ocarina of Time developer's interview posted on 's website, 1101.com, script writer Toru Osawa said that Talon and Malon from Ocarina of Time are based on Tarin and Marin from, and it is intended that players who have played the previous game will recognize the reference.

In the same interview, Shigeru Miyamoto said that Malon being a songstress is inspired by his love of country music, including people like.

Trivia

 * The symbols on the bottom of her dress spell Lon in Hylian.
 * Both Malon and Talon wear brooches.
 * According to, Tarin and Marin may be the product of Link's memories of Malon and Talon.
 * Malon shares similarities with Ilia, who is also the caretaker of Epona in . They also both live near or on a farm with their father.
 * Malo's name from Twilight Princess might be a reference to Malon. His brother Talo may be a reference to Talon.

Etymology
The Chinese name Ma is the character for "horse", while Lon is the diminutive of Alonzo, an Italian variation of Alfonso, meaning "noble and ready".

Gallery
 File:Malon2.png|Young Malon artwork from Ocarina of Time File:Malonadult.png|Adult Malon from Ocarina of Time File:YoungMalon 3D.png|Young Malon from Ocarina of Time 3D File:OOT3D EponaSong.png|Malon teaching Link "Epona's Song" in Ocarina of Time 3D File:OOS MalonHouse Outside.png|Outside Malon and Talon's home in Oracle of Seasons File:OOS MalonHouse.png|Malon inside her house in Oracle of Seasons File:Lon Lon Egg Screenshot.png|Malon giving Link the Lon Lon Egg in Oracle of Seasons File:Link and Malon OoT Manga.jpg|Ingo, Link, and Malon in the Ocarina of Time manga 