A/N: You'd better have some tissues handy for this one...

Chapter 10

"The Sacrifices We Make"

We were moving at a steady pace toward the bridge connecting western Hyrule Field and the Capital, Link on Epona and myself on foot, in order to avoid taking the longer way around. The northern path was long and treacherous; frequented by bandits. It featured four main landforms: a narrow canyon where bandits preferred to ambush travellers, a vast desert, a mountain, and the ocean. It was the sole desert in Hyrule, and only existed due to the rain shadow cast by the mountain.

We were currently in western Hyrule field. There was little vegetation, and among the ruins of an ancient civilization scattered throughout its barren lands lied a lone dying Oak tree.

At least we were blessed with wonderful weather yesterday. Unlike today as it was raining heavily. I shivered a little as the cold droplets fell on my unprotected skin; I would have to acquire warmer clothes when we reach the Capital.

"Terra, how do you know the north so well? If it is as dangerous as you say?" Link asked. I stopped walking.

"So?" he prompted. I wasn't sure how to reply; it wasn't a very happy memory. I decided to tell him the truth, "I travelled through once, from the Capital, with a group of traders. Kakariko village needed urgent supplies and they were unable to wait until the western bridge was repaired," I took a deep breath, "It was my first time heading west, and I was excited to go to Kakariko. I was stupid," I paused, reliving the awful memory, "We were ambushed by bandits. They took everything we had, killing those that had resisted, and had their way with some of the women there," I paused again, trying to recompose myself, "I was lucky. Due to the way I was dressed, and my frame, they had thought I was a man. So they left me alone. But the other women," I closed my eyes, "Weren't so lucky," I took a shaky breath, "I had managed to escape and I ran for my life towards Kakariko. When I arrived, I was tended to by the townsfolk,"

Link sounded sympathetic, "I'm sorry, I didn't know," he paused, "But the bandits? What happened?"

"I don't know, Link. They never showed up at the village,"

"I see,"

We were quiet for some time after that, the rain never relenting, as we travelled towards the western bridge. We finally arrived at dusk; cold, wet, and miserable. When I set my eyes upon where the bridge should have been, my heart sank even further, "The bridge. Its gone,"

Indeed it was. The bridge was destroyed again, probably by bandits like the last time. I sighed deeply. I didn't want to heard north, but we didn't have a choice. Feeling terrified of what was to come, I slopped through the mud northwards, Link and Epona following close behind.

Despite the ever constant rain, the journey across the western field and Eldin bridge was uneventful. When we reached the other side, Link drew his sword from his scabbard, still mounted on Epona. Just in case, he told me.

I had to agree. I withdrew my bow.

We walked towards the narrow canyon, each step feeling heavy, senses alert for danger. The canyon was very narrow, barely big enough for a horse and carriage, and we were forced to walk single-file to avoid the roughened rock walls. We travelled like this for some time. After rounding one corner, we encountered a grizzly sight: a dead rotting horse beside a ransacked trader carriage. It was burnt to a cinder, just like Kakariko village. There were no survivors, yet no bodies either: the bandits must be taking prisoners this time. Whatever food and Rupees that may have been on the carriage were gone.

"Hey!" Link suddenly yelled, scaring me half to death. I looked at him to see what made him yell, but he was already galloping towards another figure further ahead, also mounted. I yelled at Link to return, but he didn't hear me. I recognized the tribal body markings on the horse – I always had excellent eyesight – and my worst fears were confirmed: it was a scout from that bandit party. I watched as they disappeared in the distance, bow drawn and ready for an ambush.

Link returned a short time later, Epona puffing heavily. He scowled, "I lost him, that horse is too quick!"

"Link," I say, panicking just a little, "That was a scout. We've been scouted. I recognized those markings on that horse – its the same bandit party as before," I paused, "We need to flee past Eldin bridge. We can hide amongst the ruins in the western field,"

Link nodded, and looked very worried now. I awkwardly climbed onto Epona's saddle and sidled towards the rear edge of the saddle, wrapping my arms around Link for balance. I knew it wasn't a two person saddle, and my positioning wasn't ideal nor safe, but time was of the essence. They would be coming for us, and I could only hope Epona was quick enough. Link spurred Epona into a gallop, her hooves sinking deeper into the soggy mud with each stride. We safely made it across Eldin bridge and hid amongst the nearby ruins.

We stood there, hidden amongst the ruins, backs towards each other. Epona was off to the side, her heavy laboured breaths breaking the tense silence. Link held his sword in a defensive position, and my bow was at the ready.

But no attack ever came.

I relaxed slightly. But only slightly. It was then the thought hit me: we had made a stupid risk, "Link, we didn't have to head north," I put my face in my hands, feeling very foolish.

Upon Link's questioning glance, I elaborated, "There is another path to the Ocean and the Capital, but we have to backtrack back through southern Hyrule field. On the eastern side of the field is a gate," I paused, "I forgot about it, because it is usually locked and is off limits to civilians, but its there. We could scale it. It would be much safer than trying to go north again, and I'd rather be captured by the Hylian military than by bandits,"

Link nodded in agreement, "Let's go then. Are you ready?"

"Let's just get this over with,"

Link grabbed Epona's reins, and was about to mount her, when he stopped, "Somebody's coming,"

Indeed. I could faintly hear footsteps and one horse, making their way towards us from the south. We merely waited as they approached, having no where to run without making our presence known. Epona neighed in excitement at the sight of the other horse, giving away our position in the process.

Gee, thanks Epona.

A trumpet sounded, disturbingly close to our position, "Hoy there! Show thy selves bandits!" a harsh voice rang out, accompanied by clear lilting notes of a trumpet. Despite his accusation, I couldn't help but feel relieved. That trumpet melody was commonly used among the Hylian army. We were safe. We put away our weapons and exited the ruins with our hands above our heads in surrender, Epona following behind.

The sight of the Hylian detachment, despite its small size, was a massive relief. There were ten foot soldiers, armed to the teeth with mighty Hylian steel, and a knight upon an armoured horse. The knight growled out to us, his broadsword pointing in our direction, "Who art thou? Thou shalt announce ye intentions before thy head are separated from thy neck!"

His voice taut with nerves, Link attempted to explain our situation, "S-Sir, we are merely travellers trying to get to the Capital," he stopped himself and glanced at me. I took that as my cue, my arms still raised high in surrender, "We were forced to take the northern pass after discovering the western bridge was destroyed," my heart lurched, "but we were scouted by bandits. We only just escaped with our lives,"

The Hylian knight stared at us pensively, his sword still raised, "Dost thou tell me then, why dost thou possess weapons and a steed?"

Good question. To somebody from the Capital, where this knight clearly is from judging by his choice of words and thick accent, we do somewhat resemble bandits. Having only one horse between us, with no trader's banner nor cart, we look very suspicious.

Link spoke this time, his voice more confident for a reason I couldn't fathom, "We are farmers from the Province of Ordona, and I was entrusted to present this sword to her Royal Highness, Princess Zelda," Link presented his blade to the knight, "My companion-"

The knight interrupted him, lowering his sword and holding up his other hand, "Enough. I believe thou. It is true her Royal Highness requested a blade specifically from Ordona Province, however thou would be wise not to head north. We shall do battle with the bandit leader, and I do not desire civilian casualties," he paused before continuing, "Return to whence you came, it is not safe,"

"Sir," Link counters, "Time is of the essence. We cannot afford to journey back to Ordonna. We are aware there is a gate in southern Hyrule field that will lead us to the capital,"

"That gate is now locked," replied the knight.

"Do you have a key, then? May we borrow it?"

At this, the knight laughed openly, and slapped his hand on his knee startling his mount, "The gate of which you speak is for Hylian military use only. Civilians are not to attempt to take that route. Return to whence you came," he repeated.

The knight raised his sword and gave the order - his platoon would march on towards the northern pass to do battle with the bandits. Link and I watched them leave, vanishing into the distance.

"I have my doubts that small detachment will be able to deal with the bandits," I said to Link, "Even though they are armed with Hyrulian steel, the bandits have the advantage of the surprise, the familiarity of the terrain, and superior numbers. The bandits are, for all intents and purposes, a warband."

"Why didn't you warn them? The soldiers?"

A valid question, to which I replied, "They wouldn't have listened to me, nor believed me. I am a woman, Link," I say with a bitter taste in my mouth, "The only reason why I was hired to work in Ordon was due to Princess Zelda's intervention," a pause and then, "Even if you were to tell them, they would scoff at you," Upon seeing Link's confused gaze, I elaborated, "Sometimes the pride of Hyrulian soldiers is their downfall. And judging by their numbers, they probably vastly underestimate the bandits and believe they are savages," another pause, "They are, savages I mean, but they are not stupid. I heard they have a cunning leader whom recently escaped from the prison at the Capital," I finished.

There was a period of silence until Link asked, "So, what should we do? The eastern gate is locked, the western bridge is ruined, and we can't head North,"

"We should go back to Ordon and ask Rusl for advise," I thoughtfully added, "Maybe he can make a key for the gate. We should also," I hesitated, "Colin's parents have the right to know what happened to their son,"

"You are right. Let's go. Back to Ordon," he paused, "By the way. Why was that man speaking odd? I have never heard anyone speak that way," his voice was that of confusion.

I giggled, amused at his ignorance, "That was his accent. The population native to the Capital, especially those that are of noble upbringing, speak differently than you and I do," Link made a little noise of understanding, grabbed Epona's reigns, and mounted her.

It was early evening when we arrived at the village of Ordon, our travel speed significantly increased now that we found Epona. The inhabitants of Ordon were seemingly winding down for the day, finishing their daily chores. I noticed the pumpkin fields were completely planted, the small shoots growing rapidly due to the fertile soil. Upon entering the village Link dismounted Epona, and crossed the narrow river towards Rusl's house.

We didn't have to travel far; Rusl met us halfway. His voice rumbled, like lazy thunder, "Link. Terra. You are back early,"

Link shot Rusl a smile, "Hi Rusl. We were wondering if you could make a key for the gate in southern Hyrule Field. We tried two other paths to the Capital but we ran into some trouble,"

Rusl chuckled and his eyes shined in amusement, "You should know making a key for that type of gate is a federal offence, lad," he paused, "Luckily, though, when I was discharged from the military I was given a spare. Just in case. You may have it," he pulled a small silver key from one of his backside pockets and handed it to Link, "But enough of that. What of Colin? Have you heard any news of his whereabouts?"

Link hesitated. I wasn't sure how to break the news to him. Link spoke in a soft voice, his voice sad, "Colin is...the Goddesses have taken him,"

There are no words to describe the way Rusl's face twisted in shocked agony, "What did you say?"

My heart broke for him – he looked like he was on the verge of tears, "We found Colin in Kakariko village. He must have taken shelter there. Him, along with the rest of the village, was destroyed," I paused, "I'm assuming by bandits,"

Rusl spat, anger in his eyes, "Bandit scum," he drew his sword, "I shall avenge his death!"

I saw Uli approach us. She wore a small smile on her face – relieved we were back but apparently unaware of her son's fate. Her small voice was directed at her husband, "Rusl? What is going on?"

Slowly Rusl turned to his wife, his voice cracking as he said, "Oh sweetie...our child is gone,"

Uli's smile instantly vanished, and sputtering in a horrified hushed voice, "W-what?" She broke down and weeped, Rusl joining her. The parents' shoulders shook with their uncontrollable sobs. Somewhere, in the distance, I heard a baby wail. My heart wrenched and I felt completely helpless, anything I said now would be fall on deaf ears. Evidently Link felt the same as he stayed silent.

"No parent should have to bury their child," Rusl quietly croaked out. I felt tears fall down my face – he was right. The news quickly spread throughout the village, all its inhabitants gathering at the scene to grieve or express their condolences.

Link spoke, voice cracking with intense sorrow, "We buried his body at Kakariko village. His grave is marked with a wooden dove,"

The village weeped.

The very same night we broke the news of Colin's death, the village performed a breathtaking funeral ceremony, despite the grim circumstances for its existence. Bright flickering candles, crafted inside orange balloons, floated up into the sky in his memory, literal beacons of light in the darkness, the goal of which was to guide his soul to the afterlife. Prayers to the three Goddesses were uttered to take care of the child, his life taken much too soon. The ceremony lasted the entire evening, stretching into the early hours of night. Nobody slept; nobody could sleep.

Afterwards, Link and I had decided to stay in Ordon for a couple of nights, tending to Uli and Rusl's chores as they mourned.

One foggy morning Rusl approached us, tears in his eyes, "I had a talk with the Light Spirit Faron. Do what you must to save Hyrule. I wish I could accompany you to," he hesitated, "avenge Colin, but my home is here. I need to protect," a heartbreaking pause, "my remaining family,"

Link looked Rusl in the eyes, his voice full of sorrowful determination, "Colin will never be forgotten. We will find whoever did this and make him pay,"

We left that very morning in complete silence, Epona in tow. We were still mourning Colin's death, however unlike the villagers, we did not have the luxury to grieve. We had a country to save and if we did not succeed, more would lose their lives.

I approached the gate and inserted Rusl's key into the lock.

A/N:

That's all, folks.

Please let me know if there are any errors in regards to the 'old English' dialogue. I wasn't quite sure what words were correct in that situation.

Please leave a review. See you next time!