EDIT: Updated text, re-arranging chapter cutoffs, generally trying to make the story better. This is also on my deviantart Acct, Wulfpup12(dot)deviantart(dot)com
This story is an attempt to show how even the Hero of Twilight is only human (or half-elf, depending on your perspective), and its other purpose is to share with others what might be considered an impossible wish... those of you who know my first name will understand ;)
I don't own the Legend of Zelda characters, I only own the story and Wren. I make no profit off of this, save perhaps a good critique or two on my writing style (hint-hint).
Link sighed, pushing his way through the undergrowth; he really hated being set on these scouting missions. What was more, he was reduced to going everywhere on foot; Epona was carrying a foal, and he couldn't borrow another horse. A crack sounded above him, and he jumped back...
She had only one recollection before that moment, and that was the sensation of being pushed, of falling a long time. She winced as her ribs collided with the tree branch, and felt the limb give way beneath her weight; her next sensation was colliding with something... then, her consciousness was abruptly and completely shut off.
Link groaned, trying to struggle free and see what had landed on him; he swore he had dodged the fallen limb. He reached one arm out to push the weight off, then paused as he touched it. What he felt wasn't tree bark, it was human skin. He pushed the person away, and rolled to his feet.
"What in Faore's name..?"
Her first sensation on returning to consciousness was someone's voice, and a pair of fingertips brushing lightly across her forehead. She focused on the words, trying to understand...
"...can't understand... where did you come from?..."
It was a male voice, warm and kind, yet oddly concerned. Had something happened? Was someone hurt? She shifted slightly, and froze as pain flared throughout her body. The hand moved from her face to her arm, and a gentle, firm pressure registered through her pain-addled mind. The pain subsided, and she opened her eyes. The first thing that registered was the lack of light; it had to be some time after dusk.
"Welcome back."
Her chocolate brown eyes flicked to the source of the voice, and met with a pair of concerned ocean blues. The owner of those eyes was a young man, perhaps eighteen or nineteen, with light brown-gold hair, angular features, and pointed ears.
"Wer...who are you?"
The boy hesitated for a moment, then answered, in a soft tone, "I'm Link... and you?"
She frowned, thinking hard for a moment, then shook her head. "Ich... I don't know."
Link felt rather stunned. This girl falls out of the sky, and once she wakes up she doesn't remember her name? That was beyond odd, in his opinion...
"Do you know where you come from? ...or where you are?" He asked, a slight urgency in his voice. The girl shook her head once again.
"I... I just remember falling... That's all I know."
Link sighed. Whatever had happened to this girl, it had blocked out her memories.
'Maybe Zelda can help her...' he mused, then asked, "Can you stand?"
"I-I can try..."
After a few unsuccessful tries, the girl managed to pull herself to her feet. Link made sure she could keep up, then pushed his way through the underbrush once again; he stopped when the noises of her following halted. Link turned back, to see her staring intently into the shadows to their left.
"Something wrong?"
She started almost violently, whirling to face him. At the confused look he gave her, though, she relaxed somewhat.
"Nein...no... j-just worn, I guess..." She mumbled.
"Well... I suppose we can stop... There's a clearing just ahead. Can you make it that far?" Link knew he was being rather patronizing, but he was annoyed now. Normally he would've kept on for a few days at a time, only stopping for a catnap here and there. He stopped his thoughts, noting the hurt expression on the girl's face. She lowered her head, a humble and submissive expression replacing the hurt. Guilt sank its teeth into Link's heart. This girl knew nothing of where she came from, where she was going; she didn't even know her own name. Of course she would be disoriented. Of course she wouldn't have the stamina to keep up. She wasn't used to his pace.
"... I... I'm sorry..." he said quietly, reaching over to her. She shook her head, and shrugged off his hand.
"Für was?" she asked just as quietly, before moving on to the clearing.
Later that evening, Link curled into a ball next to the fire. He listened as the girl, who he'd dubbed "Wren," curled up on the other side of the fire. He knew she was hurt, but for some reason she resisted every attempt he made at trying to fix what he'd done wrong.
'Stubborn... why won't she even let me apologize? She's worse than the Gorons... hm?' Link looked up, hearing movement. He quietly rolled over onto his other side, and saw Wren sitting up. She looked his way, and he immediately closed his eyes and feigned sleep. After a few moments, he heard her moving again, and opened his eyes. She got up, turned her back to the fire, and watched the shadows. Link watched her for what seemed like ages, until the fire had burned low. Wren made no sign of changing her position, and Link eventually fell asleep.
Link observed this routine for three days, and saw the toll it was taking on his unexpected companion. The fourth night, he decided to force a change. After they had set up camp, Link found a decent, laid back position against the tree, and put his plan in motion.
"Wren... come here for a minute, would you?" He asked gently, leaning forward and hoping she'd comply. She looked at him warily, but did as he asked. Link had her sit with her back to him, then reached out and wrapped his arms around her.
"Wh-!" She squeaked, stiffening in his grasp.
"Hush, friend. I've seen you watching every night for creatures to come from the shadows. You never gave me the chance to tell you; I will hear any attacker long before it reaches our camp. Anything that will hurt you must first go through me. I know you have nightmares when you do sleep... I thought that perhaps you'd feel a bit more secure this way, and I'm sorry for patronizing you before." Link murmured, trying to keep his grasp gentle as he leaned back against the tree. Wren tensed for a moment longer, then shivered and relaxed against him. Link hummed a simple tune, drawing Wren into sleep. Once he felt her breathing become slow and regular, Link allowed himself a smile that he carried with him to the realm of dreams. Neither he nor Wren even stirred until dawn.