Link was startled awake the next morning by Talo, Beth and Colin all jumping on his bed and yelling something that his sleep ridden mind couldn't comprehend. Finally he got them all to settle down.

"Alright, now why in the name of the Three did you guys wake me up at this ungodly hour?" muttered Link sleepily as he rubbed his eyes.

"Your Sheikah friend's gonna kill Renado!" exclaimed Talo while Colin and Beth looked worried.

"What!?" Exclaimed Link. He threw the covers off him and burst out of his room, and headed straight for Renado's house. The children were all trailing behind him as the scenarios started to play across his mind.

Was this a setup…? Is he a spy…? I should have known better than to trust someone that easily!

Link sprinted down the long wooden walkway of the hotel before reaching Renado's door and threw it open.

Sheik had Renado pinned to the floor, with a dagger posed against his throat.

"Where is he?" growled the Sheikah. He pushed the dagger closer and a thin trail of blood slide down Renado's neck from the new cut.

"Sheik! What are you doing?!" Exclaimed Link angrily while gripping the frame of the doorway to keep the children from running inside. Sheik looked up sharply, and then jumped back from the fallen man.

"Hero? There you are. Are you alright?" asked Sheik as he walked toward him. He didn't get far before Link stormed forward and shoved him up against the side of the wall.

"You stay there," said Link menacingly. The Sheikah was not just startled by the suddenly hostility but from what he swore looked like a feral look reach Link's eyes. He felt he was suddenly dealing with some kind of wild animal, especially when the hero gave a low growl as he stepped away.

"Renado? Are you alright? Jeeze, hold on…Colin go get a towel for him," said Link as he helped Renado up. Colin nodded and spun around to look for one.

"I'm fine Link. Your friend and I just had a bit of a disagreement," said Renado as he put his hand against the cut on his neck.

"Bullshit. He could have seriously hurt you. Which is why we are talking right now. So outside, now," said Link as he turned and gave Sheik a dangerous look as he passed him. The Sheikah followed him without a word.

When they neared the side of the spring that was nearest the exit, Link stopped and swung around.

"What the hell is your problem? You're threatening my friends now? He was helping you!" growled Link. He clutched his fists in anger but tied to remain calm.

"I am grateful for his help, but he wouldn't have gotten hurt if he had just told me where you were to begin with," said Sheik neutrally. He stared the hero straight in the eye.

"What? Why are you so obsessed with me?" asked Link with a hard look. Sheik gave an exasperating sigh.

"I'm not obsessed with you hero. If anything, I'm obsessed with your safety," replied Sheik defensively as he crossed his arms.

"I don't need you to obsess over my safety. I've been perfectly fine without you throughout my whole life. I certainly don't need you to baby sit me now," said Link angrily.

"I know you are perfectly capable of protecting yourself, but the world is in danger now. The threat will only grow as time passes," said Sheik lowly. Link then waved his hands in front of Sheik's face.

"News flash Sheik! The world will always be in danger! That's something that will never change! Not as long as there is still greed in the world!" Shouted Link. Sheik narrowed his eyes.

"You cannot tell me you do not feel the shadows spreading across Hyrule! You were almost killed by a creature spawned from it!" Sheik hissed.

"That was from some crazy loopy kid that seems to have some kind of personal vendetta against me! Which is something that happens quite a lot actually. Once I get a hold of Zelda, we can settle this whole thing. So, thanks for your help, but I think it's time for you to leave," said Link. He turned and began to walk passed him, but Sheik grabbed a hold of Link's arm.

"Hero, you don't understand-" But Link cut him off with a snarl, making him flinch and drop his arm.

"No, I do understand. That you have some serious issues going on, and if you ever touch me again, then you're going to regret it," said Link lowly with a harsh glare. Sheik hadn't seen this side of the hero before, and he understood why he was a legend now.

"What about your promise then? Those children would not be alive if not for me. Will you at least come with me to the Sacred Grove?" asked Sheik as he looked Link in the eye again. Link stared at him for a moment.

"Why?" Link asked finally. He gave Sheik a suspicious look. The Sheikah suddenly looked to the side and nervously shifted his weight to the other foot.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you hero…" replied Sheik.

"Try me," said Link as he raised an eye brow. Sheik frowned, and shifting his weight again.

"…The Goddess Nayru…came to me in a dream. She told me there will be shadows rising out of every corner of this world and it will join together and hunt you because you are the only one that stands in its way. So, I was to guide you while you travel to the Sacred Grove with the ancient power of seven, and gather all of yourself," said Sheik finally. Link stared at him unbelievably.

"Your right. I don't believe you," replied Link. He rolled his eyes as Sheik ran his hand down his face in frustration.

"I can't prove it's true until you come to the Sacred Grove. All will be explained there," said Sheik desperately.

"I don't even know you! If this dream really happened, then where were you when the world just had its last crisis? There were plenty of things trying to hunt me then!" shouted Link.

"I didn't have this dream until last night! So, it couldn't have been referring to your last journey! If what the Goddess said was indeed true, then this is merely the calm before the storm hero!" shouted Sheik. He was desperate to convince to stubborn hero. Link just rolled his eyes again.

"Oh please. Ganon is sealed away, just like you said. What could be more powerful than the Wielder of Power, the Evil King of Darkness or whatever else that bastard is called? The storm has already passed," said Link as he gave Sheik a dull look. The Sheikah sighed impatiently.

"Hero, if this is as serious as the Goddess is implying then your last journey will seem like a pillow fight in comparison! Perhaps you should take into consideration the fact that maybe sealing Ganon is only cutting the branches from a tree, but what of the roots hero? Ever stop to think of what could have made Ganon strong enough to obtain the Triforce of Power to begin with?" asked Sheik. Link stared at him wide eyed for a moment, but then finally shook his head.

"…No, I hadn't considered that, but wait…if it's real, then why would the source of Ganon's original power not come after me when he was? That, I hate to admit, would definitely spell disaster for me," said Link.

"Perhaps it is unable to be active when Ganon is, or maybe something has to trigger it. I really don't know hero, but I'm sure going to the Sacred Grove would answer every question you could possibly think up," said Sheik. Link sighed as he ran a hand down his face. He then closed his eyes in deep thought.

"Hero…if you fulfill your part of our deal, and come to the Sacred Grove…then I will leave you be. If that is what you wish," said Sheik as he clasped his hands behind him respectfully. Link opened his eyes and gave him a hard look. Finally he just threw his hands in the air.

"Fine, whatever. I'll keep my word and go with you. Besides, I'm sure if you had some secret plan to kill me then I'd be dead already. But you had better beat it afterward, got it?" said Link as he jabbed a finger toward Sheik. The Sheikah lowered his head.

"Of course hero…" said Sheik softy. Link started to rub his arm.

"Good. Now, I'm going to get some breakfast…and a potion for this wound. Man, it's really throbbing now," said Link. He winced as a wave of pain came over him, but it quickly passed. Sheik gave him a concerned look.

"It's nothing. Just probably slept on it wrong," muttered Link. He winced again when another wave of pain hit him but tried to ignore it. He turned and headed for Renado's house, but then paused once he noticed that not only was the shaman leaning on his doorway patiently, but the children were peering out from around him.

Sheik passed by him, and then walked up to the shaman and bowed his head.

"My apologies. I hadn't meant to hurt you," said Sheik to Renado. The shaman blinked in surprise, but nodded.

"I haven't interacted with your race all that much, but if there's something I do know about the Sheikah, it's that they never do anything without a reason. I knew you didn't intend to kill me or hurt me for that matter, but you are not invincible I'm afraid. A common fallacy that you seem to share with our young hero here. That is why I wouldn't tell you where Link was. Because you needed rest just as much as he does," said Renado as he gave Link a hard look.

"And yes Link, you will be getting back in bed. Don't argue. You will thank me later. I'll send breakfast up to your room. I would like if you rested as well Sheik," said Renado. He then turned and walked down toward the hotel.

"He is a wise man," said Sheik as he watched Renado stop and talk to Barnes, the bomb seller. Link let out the long breath that used to be his argument.

"Yeah, he is. But why can't I go riding or help with something around town? Man, this is to be a boring day," muttered Link as he stretched.

"Maybe you should jump on that crazy horse again. He'd be so fast Renado wouldn't even know you took a ride to begin with," said Talo as he walked out from the doorway to stand proudly in front of Link. Colin and Beth suddenly rushed up to each side of Link to glare at Sheik but Malo stayed where he was in the doorway. Sheik gave Link a confused look.

"Crazy horse?" asked Sheik. Malo seemed to have decided that this was not what he wanted to be doing, so he turned and headed for his shop.

"Oh yeah…that was yesterday. You were out cold. I brought what I'm guessing was your horse with us here but he wouldn't come into town. I had to drop you off because you fainted. So, I left you with Renado so he took care of you," said Link. He glanced down at the bitter glares that Beth and Colin were throwing at Sheik from behind him.

"Hey, everything's all settled now all right? Just a misunderstanding. So, no need for the mean looks. Go run along now alright? You too Talo," said Link as he gave Talo a pointed look. Talo rolled his eyes, but turned and marched across the street and into the shop where his younger brother went into. Beth nodded to Link, and then walked away but stopped and waited for Colin.

"Are you sure everything's alright?" asked Colin softly to Link. The boy looked cautiously at the Sheikah. Link ruffled the kid's hair, and then gently pushed him toward Beth.

"Yes, Colin. Now go on now," said Link as he shooed them away. They waved and ran off. Link snickered.

"He can be such a mother hen sometimes…" said Link. He suddenly noticed that Sheik wasn't even there.

He spun around to look for him but then spotted him in the far end of the spring next to his stallion. Sheik was running a hand down the stallions face fondly when Link approached. He couldn't help but bark a laugh when he saw Icesis curled up on the stallion's back.

"So the speed demon can be something other than angry," said Link chuckling.

"He isn't very trustful, as you most likely have seen by now. But he is a faithful partner," replied Sheik as he ran a hand through the stallion's mane.

"What happened after you dropped me off?" asked Sheik as he turned to look at him.

"Oh, I never finished huh? Well, I walked back outside, but didn't see this guy anywhere. Then I heard this scream near the top of the adjacent hill. He came running near the edge being chased by a Bulblin riding a boar. So, I got out my trusty Clawshot and got my ass over there only to almost get it shot with an ignited arrow that a second Bulblin had shot at me. I wasn't going to deal with that so I put away my Clawshot and brought out my Gale Boomerang and blew that damn Bulblin right off his boar. Then almost got my ass trampled by Mr. Speed Demon here as he sped passed me being chased by the other Bulblin. But I took care of him quickly, and then jacked his boar to try and to catch up to this guy. It became painfully obvious that wasn't going to happen on that slab of fat that I was riding so I was forced to corner him and then ride him back here. Something he didn't like very much but I think we had some serious bonding time didn't we…what's his name?" explained Link. Epona walked up to his right side, and checked to see if he had any treats.

"Maelstrom. I'm impressed hero. You are the only other person that has ever ridden him. I must say. You are quite the wrangler," said Sheik as he nodded to Link.

"And thank you for going after him…you didn't have to do that," said Sheik gratefully.

"No I didn't. I just imagined myself in your shoes though…I'd be crushed if something like that happened to Epona when I wasn't there to help her," said Link. He was startled by a sharp "meow!" before having his arms full of Icesis. He looked down into her sharp green eyes.

"Meow!" said Icesis, pawing his shirt for attention. Sheik laughed fully, making Link just stare at him.

"What?" Sheik said as he walked up to Link to pet the top of Icesis's head. Link quickly shook his head.

"Nothing...it's just that's the first time I've ever really heard you laugh…but ah, anyway what's up with your pet's?" asked Link somewhat nervously. Sheik looked up into his eyes.

"I'm not really sure actually. Icesis has never liked anyone but my mother and myself. Maelstrom has never liked anyone but me but he doesn't seem to have a problem with you being here," said Sheik. Maelstrom suddenly walked up beside Link to nuzzle Epona's neck.

"Or perhaps it's just your mare he has no problem with…?" said Sheik as he raised an eye brow.

"Hey you! Don't be knocking up my mare now. She has enough to deal with at the moment," said Link sternly to Maelstrom. The stallion just seemed to give a dull look as if to say, try and stop me.

Renado then walked up the edge of the spring and yelled for them to get their behinds in bed. Link sighed and began to drag his feet through the water. Sheik followed, until he realized he didn't know where he was staying.

"Where am I staying?" asked Sheik as he followed the grumbling hero. Link shrugged when they entered the hotel.

"I'm sure you can stay in one of the rooms in here. Just ask the lady," said Link as he pointed to the lady standing at the desk. He didn't stop to see what Sheik did. He didn't even bother to listen before walking up to his room, hoping that his food was already there.

Link quickened his pace when he caught the smell of bacon.

"Meow!" said Icesis sharply as she was sniffing the air. Link chuckled, not expecting the cat to follow him.

"Sorry girl, but you aren't getting any of my bacon," said Link as he reached down to run a hand down her back. He stepped inside to close the door but Icesis suddenly zoomed in and leapt onto his bed. He blinked, surprised at the speed of the cat, but then noticed her starting to chomp down on a piece of his bacon.

"What the…so you're a speed demon too? Hey! Get away from my bacon!" exclaimed Link. He lunged at her, but she quickly jumped out of his reach with a piece of bacon held firmly in her mouth. She zoomed across the room and leapt onto the desk and then on top of the tall dresser. She then laid at the edge, seemingly eating the bacon more slowly as if just to mock him.

"You little…!" said Link. He ran up to the tall dresser and tried reaching up for her, but she always jumped just out of his reach.

"What's going on here?" said Sheik as he peered at him curiously from the doorway. Link spun around to give him a slight glare.

"Your cat just stole my bacon…," grumbled Link. He suddenly noticed that there wasn't any left on his plate, "What! How did you eat all of it? We weren't even in here that long!" exclaimed Link as he tried reaching for her again. Icesis had already finished the piece of bacon, so she had her behind high in the air with her tail swinging from side to side playfully. She happily swatted at his hands when they came close.

Sheik shook his head, and secretly smiling.

"Well, I will be staying in the room beside you…I will talk to you later hero…since you seem to be a bit busy now," said Sheik. He laughed softly when Icesis began pouncing on the hand Link had up there. He then walked down the hall to his own room.

"Fine! You win, you thief," said Link after several minutes of trying to get revenge. He turned and sat down on his bed, eating his now cold breakfast. He glared at Icesis when she jumped back on the bed and sat right in front of his plate.

She just lowered her head, giving him an innocent look. Link rolled his eyes as he offered her a piece of his sausage. Meowing happily, she took it out of his hand and swallowed it whole.

"Damn, don't choke now," said Link. He ate the rest of his meal in silence, occasionally offering Icesis a piece.

"Ok, I'm hitting the hay now. So, time for you to beat it," said Link. He then walked to the door and opened it wider. Icesis tilted her head to the side and looked at him curiously so he snapped his fingers and even smooched to get her to come over. She yawned and stretched before walking up the length of his bed and curled into a ball in top of his pillow.

"Hey! I meant beat it out of here, not onto my pillow!" exclaimed Link as he walked up to his bed. Icesis just closed her eyes and purred. Link just rolled his eyes with a curse.

"Oh whatever…"muttered Link. He pulled back the covers and after pulling off his boots, he got into bed and laid his head on the little section of the pillow that Icesis wasn't on. The last thing Link remembered was the sound of Icesis purring in his ear before falling asleep.

Not more than an hour later, Link suddenly woke up and with a gasp. He clutched his right arm as waves of intense pain raced through every vein. He closed his eyes, and grinded his teeth together as he tried to not scream in pain.

Icesis was startled awake by the sudden movement, and jumped off the bed and ran off. Link just continued to sit there, grinding his teeth. His breathing quickened as he started to panic.

Man, it's not letting up this time…

He eyes were watering when Sheik came bursting into his room, followed closely by Icesis.

"Hero? What's wrong?" asked Sheik urgently as he ran up to his side. Tears started to fall down his face, but he quickly wiped them away. He took a deep breath to try and steady himself.

"My arm feels like that shadow monster is ripping through it again. It won't stop hurting…I think it's getting worse…" grunted Link. His voice was getting strained with every word. Sheik cursed, and then turned and sprinted out of his room. Icesis leapt onto the bed and curled next to his side. She gave him a worried look. Link just smiled weakly, scratching her between her ears.

"Link? What's going on?" said Renado as he came striding into the room. Sheik followed close behind him.

"I don't know…I woke up because my right arm started hurting…" grunted Link. He brought his left hand up to press against his eyes in attempt to stop the flow of tears threatening to break through.

"Hmmm…" muttered Renado. He sat next to Link and pulled his right arm gently to himself. He began removing the bandages, and then gasped when he saw the wound underneath.

The wound itself was black all around the edges, but thick purple liquid was dripping from within. Thinking quickly, Renado turned to Sheik.

"Will you go to the store on the right side of this hotel and get me a red potion and fairy?" asked Renado. The Sheikah nodded once, and then spun and headed out of the room.

"I'm going to try and clean your wound again alright Link? It will probably hurt, but bear with me," said Renado. He walked out of the room, and soon came back with a bowl of water and several towels. He brought Link's wound up to him, and began gently cleaning it. The hero grimaced and shoved his face into his pillow.

Sheik then burst back into the room, carrying the red potion and fairy. Renado took both from him and quickly popped off the cork of the red potion. He poured some on one of the towels, and then gently pressed it against Link's wound.

Link instantly shot up and away from Renado with a scream of pain.

"Oh Goddess's that hurt…a potion has never hurt before…" muttered Link warily. Sheik sat on the end of the bed, growing more worried as the minutes passed.

"Alright, so the red potion is not effective. I must say I've never heard of a potion causing pain either. Hopefully, the fairy can help us," said Renado thoughtfully. He released the bottled fairy. Link tensed as it began flying around him, its fairy dust settling all around him. He found that the pain didn't disappear, but it seemed to stop escalating.

"It's still hurting like a bitch, but the pain has stopped getting worse I think," said Link gratefully. Renado scratched his chin in thought and then remembered something.

"I have one more thing that might be effective. Hold on, I'll be right back," said Renado. He walked swiftly out of the room. Sheik moved closer.

"This could be a poison? Or perhaps a spell designed to cause harm from a distance?" muttered Sheik as he studied the hero's abnormal wound.

"Thank you for that," spat Link sarcastically, "I feel so much better now that I have an idea of what is causing this unmerciful Goddess forsaken pain,"

"My apologies hero. I was thinking aloud," replied Sheik. Link just groaned.

I've never felt anything like this before…what the hell did those damn shadows do to me?

Link then felt Icesis curl back into his side.

"Well, I guess you're forgiven for stealing my bacon. Since I'm sure no one would have noticed this if it hadn't been for you," Said Link softly to Icesis. She looked up at him and licked the tip of his nose, but then swatted his face once before meowing and laying back at his side. The playful look she gave him seemed to say, "Good, because I hope you know it's bound to happen again,"

Link laughed softly as he shook his head. He then turned, wincing onto his back. Icesis decided that she'd like the view from his belly, so she crawled on top of it and curled into a ball.

Renado came striding back into the room holding a bottle full of sparkling silver liquid. Link eyed it suspiciously.

"I thought potions weren't going to be effective?" asked Link cautiously. Renado walked up to the bed and sat at Link's side.

"This is a potion that I was told would cure pretty much anything. It is the only thing I can think of that is stronger than blue potion. I've tried it myself and was amazed at the results. It took just a sip of this to heal what a whole bottle of red potion couldn't handle," said Renado.

"I'll just put a small amount on to see how you react to it," said the shaman as he grabbed one of the towels beside him.

Link nodded warily and watched Renado pour some of the sparkling silver liquid onto the towel. He tensed once his arm was lifted to apply it. He paused to see Link's reaction once he gently placed the towel on Link's wound. The hero was amazed when the pain started to dull and just collapsed with a relived sigh.

"It's working!" exclaimed Link gratefully. Renado sighed with relief as well, and then poured more of the potion onto the towel. They used only a third of the potion, so Renado bandaged his arm back up. Link stretched out his right arm, and let out a sigh of relief when he felt no pain.

"Unfortunately, it didn't heal your wound completely. This is also the only bottle I have of this potion but you may have it. I suggest going to Hyrule Castle Town soon to find someone who is selling it, "said Renado.

"Cool, what's it called?" asked Link as he curved his right arm around Icesis. She reached her head forward so Link could scratch her behind the ears.

"I believed he called it The Goddess's Tears. I have no idea what it is actually made of but it works wonders," said Renado. He tilted his head to the side in thought suddenly.

"It was quite an interesting experience actually…because at first, I thought the young man who sold it to me was you," said Renado thoughtfully to Link. The hero gave him a puzzled look.

"Huh? I've never sold anything before," said Link.

"I only thought that because he bore a striking resemblance to you. Except a few years older and perhaps a bit more travel worn. Maybe you'll meet him when you leave," said Renado as he stood up.

"Perfect. I can talk to Zelda while I'm there," said Link happily. He then tried getting out of bed, but Renado pushed him firmly back down.

"No, Link. You didn't sleep very long, so you can leave for Hyrule Castle Town in a few hours," said Renado sternly. He silenced Link's protest with a sharp look. He then got up and headed for the door.

"You should rest as well Sheik. You also didn't get much sleep," said Renado. He then left the room. Sheik sighed, and then looked down at the grumbling hero.

"Hero…if you wish, I can teleport us to the princess's private garden once you have rested," said Sheik as he stood up from the bed. Link gave him an astonished look.

"What? You can do that and not get arrested? Wait, that's miles away too. Can you teleport that far?" asked Link wide eyed. Sheik chuckled at his expression.

"Yes. The princess is an old friend of mine. Her garden is among the few places that houses a sigil that controls the power source of the castle's wards. I can tap into that particular sigil in her garden and use the energy to teleport without having to waste my own," replied Sheik as he walked over to the doorway. Link blinked.

"She's never mentioned you. Or these wards. I'm glade for the upgrade though. Not that it will matter all that much if the castle guards keep being such oblivious idiots," muttered Link. Sheik stopped at the doorway and looked back at the hero amazement.

"Thank goddess! I thought I was the only one that noticed that the castle guards weren't quite…up to par," replied Sheik with a chuckle. Link rolled his eyes.

"You're giving them too much credit. The terms they have earned are idiot, moron, baby, and fangirl. There's even some fanboys as well…which I would have been just fine not knowing but life is a bitch. Now, if she is such a good friend why hasn't she mentioned you?" asked Link.

"That is most likely because her family is not fond of my race…I actually learned the layout of the castle rather well at a young age because I would always avoid the nobles of the castle. I doubt she has told anyone of our friendship," replied Sheik. Link shrugged, and then laid down.

"Fine. Three hours then?" asked Link as he got more comfortable.

"As you wish," said Sheik. He then left for his own room. Icesis seemed comfortable where she was, so she began to purr loudly. Link sighed tiredly as he laid his arm down by his side and closed his eyes.

It's been awhile since I've seen Zelda. Maybe she'll have an idea of what the hell is going on here…