Sanctuary is a short The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time oneshot about Malon and Sheik meeting one another. It can be read here
. It's related to the Sheik/Ruto oneshot Surface Tension through Broad Strokes.
The story starts with Sheik helping save Malon's horses from Gerudo thieves. In the chaos, Sheik is injured. Malon offers her a place to sleep while her injuries heal. Malon takes a liking to Sheik and states that she'll haang a lantern in her window whenever it's safe for Sheik to spend the night in her barn. The two quickly become friends.
Not to be confused with the fic, Sanctuary (The Lion King).
This fic provides examples of:
- Bifauxnen: Malon describes Sheik as a mix of beautiful and handsome. Even after learning her sex, Malon's still entranced by her.
- Foreshadowing: The reader already knows who Sheik is, but there are signs in the narrative even before the reveal. For example, Malon calls her voice "almost princely" and Sheik refuses to reveal her identity because Ganondorf would try to get to her.
- Rescue Romance: Sheik and Malon meet when Sheik saves Malon's horses from bandits. A romance blooms after Malon helps nurse Sheik's injuries.
- Slash Fic: Sheik (and subsequently Zelda) and Malon have a romance.
- Sweet on Polly Oliver: Malon falls for Sheik from the moment they meet. However, she learns that Sheik is a woman in disguise early on and still likes her.
