Link jumped up and bolted out the door, followed closely by Ingo and Malon. Out side, over the horse arena, was a huge slug-like thing with huge jaws filled with razor sharp fangs. It drooled a lot as it twisted and screeched. Shaking off the suprise, Link pulled out his sword and charged the gigantic slug. He got close then the slug threw him across the feild, back to where Malon and Ingo stood in shock. Link got up and stumbled forward. He steaded and charged again. As he neared the disgusting blob, a cain shot past him, hitting the slug and knocking him out. Then Malon, holding on to the hookshot, came screaming by. "Link! Kill it!" She called She called after thumping into the creature. Link charged and sliced the slug in two. both parts flopped, then shriveled up and dissapeared. "What was that?" Link thought outloud. "A Sleemer. They thrive on any mammals, although they prefer horses." Navi put in, talking for the first time that day. "What did your fairy say?" Malon asked staring at Navi. "She said that was a Sleemer, it likes to eat horses." Link replied as Malons eyes grew. "We need to check the horses!" Malon Shouted running around the arena counting the horses. "Epona is ok but were missing Tundom and Finnie. The Sloomer must of got them." Malon said sadly after she stopped running around. Link didn't even bother to correct Malon. She walked slowly with downcast eyes as they filed back into the house. The four ate the stew slowly, making difficult atempts at comforting Malon. "I'm sorry honey, I know how much Finnie ment to you." Talon said patting Malon's back. "I'm going out for a while." Malon muttered, staning up and practicly running out of the room.   A half hour passed and Malon still hadn't retuned. "I'm going to go find her." Link said standing up. He thanked Talon for letting him stay for dinner and quickly left. It took Link an hour to find Malon. She was sitting by Lake Hylia. "Hey, are you ok?" Link asked sitting down by Malon, who had obviosly been crying. "It's just, Finnie was givin to me by my grandmother when I was little. She was the first horse I ever got." Malon chocked out, tears rolling down her cheek. "Who is your grandmother? I've never seen her." Link asked. "She died a year ago, she raised me after my mother died when I was five." Malon replied still not looking up. "How did she die?""She was kicked in the head by a horse. She had written Eponas song by then but we called it Jennica's song then. My mother's name was Jennica. She told us that when she found the special horse, she would name it after her. When Epona was born, we heard her song in the breeze. So then it became Epona's song and..." Malon was cut off by a loud sob and wave of tears. "I'm sorry. I never knew any of my family. But I know how you feel. Well we should get back. It's pretty late. We'll have to walk. I left Epona at the ranch. The two silently walked back, not knowing what dangers lay ahead of the in the next few weeks to come.