Injured

The magnificent orange sun was just appearing over the horizon. The grass in Hyrule field glittered with dew and glistening cobwebs hung from branches. Birds shook themselves from their sleep and began to sing, as the sun rose higher more birds joined the morning chorus filling all corners of the field with joyful music. Rabbits emerged sleepily from their underground burrows and bounded across the field. Hunters slunk away back to their dens, disappointed that they no longer had the cover of night to use to their advantage.

A chestnut brown mare drank deeply from a narrow stream, the cool, refreshing water had flowed down from the mountains. The mare's coat seemed to shine in the sunlight, her white mane flowed down her neck and she used her sleek tail to swat away flies. The mare turned away from the stream and trotted towards a tall, majestic oak tree. As she neared the old tree she skirted around the remains of a small fire to avoid the still warm ashes. Soon after, the roots of the oak came into her vision. A teenage boy lay underneath the shade of the canopy above. He wore a green tunic, the same colour as the grass he lay on. His sandy coloured hair flopped over his face hiding his closed eyes. His ears ended in slight points, as was normal with Hylians. A long green hat, the same colour as his tunic lay over a root of the old oak. A polished brown leather horse saddle lay on the grass nearby. Two saddle bags were strewn beside it, one of the bags was open and an empty jar lay on the grass beside it. The horse pawed the ground and neighed loudly. The boy, whose name was Link, groggily pushed his hair out of his face, revealing his eyes. They were a deep blue, almost the same colour as the sky. Those eyes seemed to hold a wisdom that many people who were older than the boy could never hope to achieve. There was a sadness that could be seen in their depths, as though they had seen many terrible things. Link rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms up to the sky. He put his hands on the ground and pushed himself into a sitting position. He glanced sleepily at his horse who was still pawing the ground. He half-grinned to himself "What's wrong with you Epona? Are you just annoyed that I overslept?" The chestnut mare gazed at him silently with her dark brown eyes. Link chuckled.

Yeah, I didn't really expect you to answer me

Link made his way over to the open saddle bag on the ground. He picked up the empty glass jar and put it back inside the bag. He rummaged around in the bag until his hand closed on something round. He pulled out the shiny red apple and walked towards Epona with it. He held it out on his hand as he neared her, Epona whickered happily and plucked the apple out of Link's hand. The mare devoured the apple in two bites. Epona stepped forward and nuzzled Link's cheek. Link laughed and tried to push her away, but Epona pushed against his hands. Link wobbled, and fell to the ground. The dew on the grass made the legs of his trousers wet but, he didn't mind. Link pushed himself to his feet and walked over to the other saddle bag, he pulled out a second apple out of the leather bag. He promptly ate the red fruit. Link made his way towards the narrow stream, bringing two jars with him. He filled the jars with cool, clear drinking water. Then he cupped his hands and dipped them into the stream. He splashed his face with the water and scrubbed it roughly with a cotton cloth to clean off the grime that had built up over the last few days of travelling. When he had cleaned his face Link made his way back towards the big tree. He put the jars of water into a saddle bag. He picked up the saddle and put it on Epona's back. He bent down to tie the straps underneath her stomach, his tired hands fumbling with the buckles. Link secured the bags to the sides of Epona's saddle. Link slipped the bridle and reins over the chestnut mare's head. Link put one foot into a stirrup, grabbed the reins and swung himself onto Epona's back. He tugged on the reins to make Epona turn until she was facing towards Hyrule Castle, which could be seen across the field. Link glanced back at the place where he had spent the night and spotted his quiver lying at the foot of the tree. He had nearly forgotten it! He leapt off Epona and ran to the tall tree. He picked up his quiver and slung it over his shoulder. He kept his bow in one of the saddle bags. As he stood up, he saw a flash of green. He turned towards it and realised that his green hat was still lying across the root of the tree where he had left it. Link's hands went to his head, he had been convinced he had put the hat on already. He snatched up the soft cotton hat and jammed it on his head. Link walked around the tree, to reassure himself that he hadn't forgotten anything else. Once Link was positive that he had everything he mounted Epona again. He kicked his heels into Epona's side and spurred her into a gallop. The field passed by in a blur of greens and browns. Link laughed as the wind blew through his hair. His eyes glittered with joy at the freedom that he felt at that moment in time. He loved Ordon village where he lived, but Link enjoyed the freedom of riding Epona through Hyrule field without any boundaries, in Ordon he was bound by the rules of the village.

The horse and her master rode at this pace for about two hours before they slowed to a walk. Link steered Epona to the left, where he knew there was a small lake. After another half an hour's walk they came across the shimmering blue water. Link climbed off Epona and let her drink from the lake. Link stayed by the lake for about twenty minutes. When he believed that Epona had rested for long enough he climbed into the saddle again. His legs were aching from riding, but he had to make it to Hyrule Castle within three days, he was to attend an important meeting with Princess Zelda. Link only had to tap Epona's sides with his heels for her to move on. They kept a steady pace until the grass began to thin out and the ground turned to hard rock. Link knew he was heading in the right direction, he needed to go through Ganon's Pass to get to the castle in time. He had heard tell that Ganon's Pass was an inhospitable place, no living creature stayed there for long and even grass didn't grow there. Link had heard terrible stories about Ganon's Pass, people went in and were found dead weeks later. He had heard a particularly gruesome story about a man who had tried to go through Ganon's Pass, he was found four days later, with bloody sockets where his eyes had been. But, that was before Link had defeated Ganon and freed the world of Twilight, there had been no major incidents since that time.

Link spurred Epona into a trot and soon he could see Ganon's Pass. Two huge rocks loomed in front of Link on either side of a narrow pathway. The rocks were a red-brown colour.

Almost like the colour of dried blood.

Link shook himself. No. He couldn't think like that, he was the Hero who had killed Ganon and Freed Hyrule, he could ride through Ganon's Pass. Link pulled on the reins to stop Epona. Link gazed up at the rocks and felt a sinking feeling in his gut. There was something ominous about the place. Link would not allow himself to be afraid, he took a deep breath and spurred Epona onwards. As the shadow of the huge rocks fell on Link he shivered, there seemed to be no warmth in this place. The path twisted to the right and Link suddenly saw a huge black shape. He drew his sword from its sheath on his back and prepared to fight. Then, he saw that it was just a crack in the side of the rock. Link shook himself, he was being silly, there was nothing scary about this Pass. He sheathed his sword and laughed nervously, trying to dispel his fear. His laugh echoed off the walls making it sound as though there were at least three people laughing. While his laugh echoed Link thought that he heard something else, like somebody blowing a trumpet but, he brushed that thought out of his mind.

It was only the echo, nothing lives in this Pass that could blow a trumpet

Link wanted to get through the Pass quickly, whenever there was a straight section of the path he would spur Epona into a trot in order to get out of the Pass as quick as possible.

After about an hour of riding Link began to feel more confident, he had the master sword and he was very skilled with his bow. He was sure he could fight anything that would attack him. Suddenly, Link stopped Epona, he was sure that he had heard something. He looked around him but there was nothing to be seen except for rocks. A breeze ruffled the hair that hung over his forehead. Link glanced to the left and saw an arrow on the ground that hadn't been there a moment before. Link's eyes opened wide, he gazed around wildly searching for the shooter of this arrow. His eyes fell on the top of the tall cliff to his right, on the top stood three archers all wearing black cloaks. The archer nearest to him notched his bow, when he released the arrow Link was able to hear the twang of the bow. Before he could react the arrow had reached him, it pierced his upper right arm and Link's cry echoed around the Pass. He snatched up Epona's reins in his left hand, kicked her sides and yelled "Hyah!" to spur her forwards. His yell echoed back at him from the walls of the Pass. As Epona was galloping Link grabbed the arrow shaft that was sticking out of his arm. His legs were the only thing holding him on the galloping mare as he closed his eyes and yanked the arrow from his arm. He wanted to scream with the pain but, he bit his tongue and restrained himself. He glanced down at the wound which was pumping hot blood down his arm. Link grimaced at how deep the wound was, the sleeve of his tunic was already soaked with blood. He grabbed the reins in his left hand again. He raced through the Pass on Epona, no longer caring how dangerous it was to take the bends at a high speed. He could hear the twang of bowstrings as more arrows were released but, he did not look up, he just concentrated on getting away. As Link rounded a corner he heard a noise, like a cloth moving. He gazed around without slowing down, wondering what it could be. Suddenly, he felt something fall on him, it draped over his entire body. His arms and his legs became tangled in it, Link realised that he was covered by a net. Link attempted to reach for his sword to cut the net but, before he could reach it there was a bright flash in front of him. Link just had time to recognise it as the flash of a deku nut when Epona reared up. Link, who was not holding onto Epona was thrown to the ground. Link struggled with the net, realising how vulnerable he was lying on the ground and unable to defend himself. He heard the twang of a bowstring and an arrow landed on the ground inches away from his face. He only glanced quickly at the arrow but, even that was enough for him to spot the glistening green liquid on the arrow tip. Link didn't know what it was, nor did he want to find out. He just focused on getting his left arm untangled from the net so that he could reach his sword. He slid it through the mesh and after a few moments it was free. He grabbed his sword from its sheath and started slashing through the net. Link wasn't fast enough. He felt a sharp, burning pain on the left side of his body. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, he wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of hearing him scream. Link didn't need to look to the source of his pain, he knew immediately that it was an arrow. He freed himself from the net and swung himself onto Epona. He spurred her into a gallop, his side felt as though it was on fire but, Link didn't dare risk letting go of the reins to pull the arrow out. It would have to wait. They raced through the Pass but, Link did not feel like they were going even nearly as fast as they should be. They seemed to have been running for an age, but the cliffs were still lined with archers, too many to fight.

Eventually, they broke out into open field. The breeze that blew against Link's face felt like a mother's kiss. When Link thought that they had fled far enough away from the Pass he slowed Epona to a stop. He slowly clambered off her back, the pain in his side was restricting his movement. Link took some bandages and the jars of water out of the saddle bags and sat on the ground. He placed his hand on the arrow shaft sticking out of his side. Link breathed in deeply for a few moments before tugging sharply on the arrow. The arrow had pierced very deep into his body and it was agonisingly slow to pull out. When the arrow finally left his body Link let out a heart-wrenching scream. Link's hands were shaking when he threw the arrow on the ground. Link lay back on the grass, allowing his body to go limp for a few moments. He was breathing harshly and his whole body would shake whenever pain shot through his side. When at last the pain had lessened Link sat up slowly. He pulled his tunic over his head gently, so he did not cause himself any more pain, he threw the tunic on the grass beside him. He used the jars of water to wash out his wounds, gritting his teeth as he poured the water into his injuries. He then wrapped bandages around his upper right arm and around the middle of his body. Link could only tie the bandages loosely using one hand but, it would be better than no bandages at all. He picked up his tunic and pulled it back on over his head. Link looked back towards Ganon's Pass, the tall rocks seemed even more menacing as they loomed out of the ground. He shuddered, he shouldn't have gone that way at all. As he looked at the rocks he thought he spotted movement on the top of them. Link had no intention of being caught by the mysterious people in the Pass. He swung himself onto the saddle and spurred Epona into a gallop. They raced through Hyrule field at this pace for a long time, all of the colours blurring into one.

Link's head began to throb painfully. He grimaced and slowed Epona to a walk, he was far enough away from the Pass at this stage. Link raised his hand to his forehead and closed his eyes for a few moments. His forehead was hot and sticky with sweat. Link breathed in deeply and searched in his saddle bags for a jar of water. He pulled out an empty jar and remembered that he had used the water to clean his wounds. He automatically put his hand on the sharp pain in his side. When he pulled his hand away it was covered with warm blood. It was leaking through his bandage and his tunic. He glanced at his right arm and saw that it too was covered in blood. Link grimaced. When he reached Castle Town he would search for a healer. As Epona plodded on, Link swayed in the saddle in rhythm to the horse's movements. After a while Link began to feel very cold, as though he were in the mountains. He pulled a blanket out of one of the saddle bags and wrapped it around his shoulders. He gazed up at the sky, it was late in the afternoon but the sun was still high. He shouldn't have been cold.

I must just be cold because I lost soo much blood.

They continued on towards Castle Town at a steady pace. Link stopped noticing the scenery, he just stared blankly at the back of Epona's head. He was breathing heavily and swaying gently from side to side. He had never felt soo ill. He began to lose track of time, he didn't know how long he had been travelling for. Link began to find it harder to breathe. His breath was coming in short gasps. As he stared blankly at Epona's ears an image flashed in his mind: The arrow on the ground, glistening with green liquid. A sudden realisation came upon him, the arrows were tipped with poison. Link was feeling dizzy and he knew immediately that he'd never make it to Castle Town before he collapsed. He looked all around Hyrule Field, forcing himself to focus. He spotted a small wooden house to the east. It was a good distance away but, it was closer than Castle Town. Link turned Epona towards it in the hope that somebody there could help him. As they rode Link's headache became almost unbearable. He couldn't get his eyes to focus on anything, he just hoped that they were still heading in the right direction. Link clutched the blanket around his shoulders, shivering with the cold that only he felt. His whole body shuddered as pain shot through him from the wound on his side. He closed his eyes hoping to ignore the pain. Link felt himself tipping to the side of the saddle. He toppled off the saddle and landed in a heap on the ground. A quiet moan of pain escaped his lips and then he was still.

This is the first fanfiction that I've written. Part 2 will be coming soon, I just have to correct some grammar and spelling mistakes. If you spot any grammar/spelling mistakes here please let me know so that I can fix it.

Please Review! I love to hear feedback on my stories. Constructive criticism is welcomed, I want to become better at writing and I can't do that if I don't know what I do well and what I don't do well. Thanks!