The sky faded to a pinkish-orange hue just above the horizon. Soon the stars would speckle above and bring out the monsters who crave the dark. But those monsters would have to wait until morning. Tonight, Link would rest his sword-wielding arm, much to Epona’s delight. Trekking up a stone path, flanked by the setting sun, the hero and his companion were drawn to the familiar tune, every note infused with sweetness and compassion. Lanterns holding little golden flames hung from above, leading them along the path as a gentle breeze shook a string of wind chimes just ahead. The singing stopped as Link approached the ranch. A girl clothed in purple and white, with hair as red as Epona’s soft coat, turned to face them. She smiled, a lovely pink blush splashed across her cheeks.
Lon Lon Ranch from Ocarina of Time is probably one of the most beloved locations in the Zelda series. While the characters that populate the ranch are relatively minor and don’t contribute that much to the overarching plot and gameplay, the daughter of the ranch’s owner, Malon, has captured the hearts of many. Her sweet nature and love for animals make her extremely likeable. Through their love for Malon, fans have also come to love Lon Lon Ranch, to the point where discovering the Ranch Ruins in Breath of the Wild ended up being a genuinely heartbreaking moment for many. Fortunately, Lon Lon Ranch and all its residents are immortalized in various works of art, including AnandahJanae’s beautiful illustration of the sun setting over the ranch.
AnandahJanae’s illustration does not replicate the ranch found in Ocarina of Time precisely. A stone walkway has been added to match the rocks stacked in front of the little wooden house. Lanterns hang between wooden posts, glowing with a soft light. And the house itself got a makeover, now intricately detailed and sporting a golden sign with a cute little cow insignia. The new design is quaint, while offering all the warmth and comfort that Lon Lon Ranch is known for.
The warmth of the piece may be due in part to the warm color palette, with orange, pink, and brown standing out the most. But even the blue, usually a cool color, evokes coziness and comfort. Just by looking at the piece, the viewer is enveloped in a feeling of warmth and security, like they’re wrapped in a blanket with a cat nestled at their feet, enjoying a crackling fire. It’s so peaceful. No wonder the piece is full of lively animals not quite ready to go to bed.
Aside from the familiar horse taking center stage, other creatures can be found wandering all over the place. Two Cuccos mull about at the base of the steps, another roosts on the fence, two poke around on the roof, and one more lies calmly nestled in Malon’s arms. There’s bound to be more of the clucking critters around, but too many more would crowd the piece and take attention away from the three central figures: Link, Epona, and Malon.
Epona rests, lowering her head to reach the fresh green grass, hungry after a long day of galloping through the fields. Link is seated atop Epona, facing the young woman who stands in front of her house. She looks as though she’s been interrupted in the middle of her chores, pausing as she heard hooves clomp along the path. Perhaps she was rounding the Cuccos up for the night when the man clad in green, the fairy boy who freed her beloved horse from a life of servitude, came to visit. There’s a blush to her cheeks and a sweet smile creasing her lips. All is well.
Overall, AnandahJanae’s piece is simple yet evocative, stirring up feelings of tranquility and happiness in all who view it. When looking at it, you can practically hear the clucks of the Cuccos and the lilting tune of Epona’s Song. It feels so nostalgic that I think many fans will be tempted to pull out their N64s and return to Ocarina of Time, if for no other reason than to lazily meander around Lon Lon Ranch once more.
