This chapter has much more action in it than the last.

I've decided I will give Link dialogue, but only when needed. Even then, it wont be much. I just think it's kind of weird having him talk in a story when he doesnt actually talk in the games.

Link pulled on Epona's reins, bringing her to a stop. He had left two nights ago, and had been travelling nonstop since. He was worn-out. He had lost track of his current location about four hours ago. He gazed around at his surroundings. Nothing but a moor stretching on for what looked to be forever. Black dots scattered the ground and sky further up ahead. Enemies. His sight was starting to become blurred. Link's head fell, mainly from exhaustion. His eyelids felt heavy, and he struggled to hold back a yawn.

His eye was drawn to a brook a few paces away. Stroking Epona's neck, he felt her rapid breathing. He jumped over her back, stumbling slightly from his fatigue. He steered her over to the water. She bent down, lapping up at the fluid. She shook her head in satisfaction, sending water flying everywhere. Link drowsily turned his head in a pitiful attempt to avoid the droplets. They spattered up against his tunic, dappling it lightly. He didn't care too much about it though; a few minutes in the sun would dry it off for sure. Once she had had enough, Link knelt down to the water's side. Cupping his hands, he lifted the water to his lips. It was cold and refreshing. It gave him a burst of energy, just enough to keep him going.

As he looked back at Epona, he noticed a shadow peering from behind the hill he had just come over. He narrowed his eyes, trying to make it out. Whatever it was didn't give him the chance, and vanished. He blinked his eyes several times, his mind trying to work out whether he had imagined that or not. The lack of sleep was really starting to mess with his head. He figured it was just his mind playing tricks on him. Either that or some enemy trying to sneak up on him. It wouldn't have been the first time something like that happened. Ignoring whatever it was, he clambered back onto Epona's back, continuing on his journey.

The whole time he was riding, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching him. He did his best to overlook it, but the thought of someone observing his movements was really starting to bother him.

He was starting to draw close to where he had spotted the band of enemies earlier. He drew his sword from its scabbard, readying himself. A swarm of Kargarok filled the air above him. However, they didn't seem to take notice of him, yet. Bulblins rushed towards him, their clubs and fire arrows raised high, all aimed at him. Holding the master sword firmly in his grip, he charged atop Epona toward a cluster of them. His teeth clenched together, he swung openly at them, killing the first few off rather easily. More and more of them came, seeming to surround him. They kept coming, as if out of nowhere. He did his best to fend them off. Despite them being stronger than the ones he was used to, he managed to rid himself of them all.

"Link, look out!" A voice shouted from behind him. He twisted his head around, his eyes widening as he saw Ilia standing a few paces away. Before he could ask what she was doing there, a Kargarok swooped down, knocking him from Epona to the ground. The startled horse reared up in a combination of defence and shock. Ilia ran to Link's side, falling to her knees, making sure that he was ok. He seemed fine, though still very surprised to see her. He didn't have time to question her presence, though he didn't have to.

"I followed you" she told him. "I had to."

More Bulblins and enemies formed around them. There are too many of them Link thought. He stared at Ilia, who looked frightened. I can't protect her from them all.

An idea suddenly struck him. Link pulled out the hero's bow and his quiver of arrows. He handed them to Ilia. She looked down at the weapon he gave her, looking at him with questioning eyes. He closed her hand around the middle of the bow. He looked into her eyes.

"Run."

Her eyes flickered from the bow to Link. He didn't give her a chance to protect. Struggling to his feet, he lifted her up and placed her on Epona. Her fear for him was being reflected clearly in her green eyes. He yelled at Epona, making her neigh and race off. Watching them for but a moment, he drew his sword once more and stared at the line of enemies around him. He had to do what he could to protect Ilia.

They came at him fast. Their numbers were plentiful, but they remained easy to kill. He did well to survive the first few rows of them. But his skill with the sword didn't change the fact that his mind was tired and his body was aching. They started to swarm all over him, their quantity increasing further more.

An arrow fired through the air, striking one of the monsters that were one him, in the eye. It screeched loudly, its dead body falling off him. Link looked to Ilia, who held the recently fired bow, still aimed at the monsters. She fired another, drawing their attention to where it shot nearby. Her distraction gave him enough time to get to his feet. He smiled at her, but it vanished as a fire arrow shot into him, piercing his shoulder blade. A burning sensation ripped through his shoulder. His legs started to crumble beneath him as they lost their strength. When his body collided with the ground, a sharp and sudden pain entered his chest. His hands thrashed helplessly at his torso, feeling the familiar cold surface of the shadow shard penetrating his chest.

Yeah! My first cliffhanger. Tell me what you think.