Ring of Fates

I hope you all have been enjoying these recent chapters, and please don't forget to review and let me know how I'm doing. Again thanks for reading, and no one yet has given me the answers to the two reference's I made in a previous chapter so you still have time if you would like to see a character named after yourself :)

Annie had no idea how much time passed as she lay there just looking at the ceiling, which was more interesting than she first thought. She followed the lines and grooves in the boards above her, like a maze Annie tried to find the origin of the lines. It was futile but entertaining none the less, and it helped her to focus her mind on something other than the constant ache that permeated her whole body. She wondered if she should try and get someone's attention but after a few moments of thought she decided against it; not wanting to exert herself more than necessary. Now that she was more conscious Annie noticed her arms lay on top of the blanket, and were wrapped in damp bandages; they were almost dry by now so she assumed someone would be along soon, and picked up where she had left off on the roof. While her eyes traced the lines her mind wandered randomly from thought to thought; from where Link was, to if he was even still here, or how she was going to eat her next meal without being able to move her arms.

Food.

That had been a mistake, and as soon as she thought of it her stomach growled viciously at her; she was unbelievably hungry. Annie wondered what that meant about how long she had been unconscious; it must have been more than day as far as Annie could tell, but she was no expert. Mere moments later the door of her room opened and Luda entered, carrying a plate with several things on it that Annie couldn't quite make out from her vantage point.

"It is good to see you awake" she said calmly, setting the plate down on the small desk to her right. "I brought you some soup" she smiled.

On the plate was a rag, a cup, and two bowls; Luda must have been there to change her bandages or to at least wet them, and to bring her food. "Thanks" said Annie hoarsely, and she blushed from the feeling of helplessness. Luda just smiled, and dipped the cloth in one of the bowls that apparently held only water; wrung it out and placed it on the bandages on her arms in turn. She had a practiced hand, and for one so young knew very much about caring for a patient. Annie began to speak to the young girl, but was promptly stopped.

"Don't; save your strength" Luda said tenderly. Annie just looked at her, wanting answers but knowing in the back of her mind that she was right. She needed to relax, and to heal. Luda began to wet the bandages on her one of her arms with the damp towel; she dabbed it a few times to make sure the whole thing was wet then let it sit there. While waiting for the bandages to completely soak through, the young girl began to spoon some of the soup into Annie's mouth. It wasn't the best soup ever, but it was warm food; and its warmth spread through her whole body, bringing energy back into her limbs. She sighed audibly, enjoying the warming sensation; while constantly consuming more of the soup, almost hoping the sensation would increase with each spoon full. Annie hardly noticed her move the cloth to the other arm; and when the soup was finished she closed her eyes and smiled.

"You're lucky, you know" stated Luda "Your injuries could have been much worse."

If this was lucky, Annie didn't even want to ponder worse, and her smile quickly faded; it had been meant as encouragement, but it terrified her for some unknown reason. Just thinking about the ordeal made her hurt; so she changed the subject "Is Link still here?" inquired Annie, the warm soup had apparently reawakened her ability to speak.

"We thought it best to let you rest in peace" stated the young girl "Without visitors. Though he's been waiting to see if you would regain consciousness; would you like me to send him in?"

"ummmm…."

"I'll just tell him your awake" smiled Luda "he'd probably come in any way." She then gathered everything that she had come in with, and placed them on the tray and stood. "I'll be back in a few hours with new bandages and more food" and then turned and left the way she had come; leaving Annie alone with her own thoughts.

"He really waited?" She had in no way expected that, she had figured he would have already made his way into the Goron's mine. Something about that thought though reminded her of something very important, that she had managed to forget; two something's actually. Franticly Annie searched the room for Illumous and the bow, a little too fast; which caused stars to float through her field of vision. After a few panicked minutes she eventually located both of her weapons on the left-hand side of her bed. She was relieved someone had found the bow, and recognized it as hers; Annie didn't have a clue what she would do without it, literally die probably. Annie looked about the room, wondering what to do; she hated not being able to do anything, or go anywhere.

Again the door opened though this time the green clad hero entered the room tentatively; in stark contrast to his usual confident and determined self. He shut the door behind him, but hovered close the closed door; as if to stay near the only exit in case something went badly, and he needed a quick escape. Annie wasn't sure if this was a habitual tendency or a purposeful gesture to give her some space. After a few moments of awkward stares, Links eye drifted to the angelic wings of Illumous; he looked back to Annie with a raised eyebrow and a drilling yet not unkind stare. Annie wasn't sure what she should say, or how much she should reveal to the Hero; but then again they shared a similar fate, and it made her want to tell him everything, if only to find some comfort in a kindred spirit.

By the time she had finished Annie found herself sobbing for reasons she wasn't quite sure of herself. It had taken her a while to tell her story, but Links expression softened with understanding and compassion as he moved closer to comfort her as best he could. It didn't seem to help much, but the emotional outburst dissipated as soon as it had begun. Quickly her cheeks turned red from embarrassment, but Link just smiled. Annie wished she could move, or at least be able to do something. Anything to make the conversation less awkward and one sided, but Annie was glad he understood; and that he didn't ask any more questions. Link walked over to where Illumous rested against the wall, and let his hand hover above the pummel; he looked back at her leaving his hand in place. "Go ahead" answered Annie.

Link lowered his hand to grasp the sword, but as soon as his hand was within half an inch of the pommel light shot out from the very end of the sword and enveloped his hand. Immediately his whole body writhed and contorted as if receiving a strong electrical shock, and he fell to the floor; it all happened in seconds, but it seemed to happen in slow motion to Annie. "What…just..happened….." asked Annie without expecting an answer, with a look of amazement and shock one her face. Link still lay on the floor twitching slightly, after a few tense minutes though link regained control of his body and sat up; just as Luda burst into the room.

"WHAT HAPPENED?" she almost screamed; startling Annie slightly.

Link just shook head, while Annie just said "Everything is alright." Luda didn't seem convinced of this but left the room obviously irritated any way. Soon after Link stood; though a little shakily, nodded to Annie and also left. Annie stared apologetically at the door and wondered if something between her and Link had been ruined. Now Annie was alone again though she really didn't mind this time, but wondered who had carried the sword up to her room and wondered how they got it up there; without suffering the same fate as Link had. The only answer she could come up with is that they had held on to the sheath. Annie filed this event away into her memory; she had an idea that could prove to be useful in the future; especially in close combat.