Okay so it's been a while. First it was work happening. I had to work extra hours and that took a lot out of me.

Then surgery. Nothing too bad, but it took me out of everything. I wanted to write while recovering, but NOPE. Too messed up on pain killers.

So I took May off from my extracurricular activities for sanity's sake.

And in June I just didn't have the drive. I tried to write but couldn't muster up the mental wherewithal. But I'd like to thank several artist I've been stalking on tumblr for inspiring me to pick up the… keyboard and start writing again: Growingupgerudo, Figmentforms, s-kinnaly, scribbly-z-raid, and anyone else I've seen make art for Breath of the Wild. Aside from that generic name, I'm pumped for the new Zelda. I don't think I'm back to 100% writing wise, but I'm getting there.

So, I'm sorry but all I have is this mini chapter. Need to go into July with all guns blazing

^^^^^(Interlude: The Village Fights Back!)^^^^^

"One, two, and three." Rusl and his wife gently lifted and placed the unconscious Twili mage Veran onto their bed. Her breathing was steady, but her face occasionally twitched as if she was dreaming. Colin kept close to make sure she was all right.

Rusl snickered and softly said to his wife. "Didn't think it'd be this early that Colin would bring strange women home."

Uli responded with a swift punch to the arm. "So, she's one of Link's friends from the Twilight?"

"Yes, dear. Some sort of soothsayer."

"And our son decided it was best for her to recuperate at our house?" She asked with a slightly incredulous look on her face.

"Well, yeah mom. Link's helped us out so many times… helping out his friend is a small way to start paying him back." Colin answered.

Uli chuckled at her child's pure intentions. "Well, I'm taking Alana to the girls at Pergie's. It's time to spoil the baby again." Uli picked up her daughter from a nearby cradle. "We'll be back around sunfall. If she wakes up, she can eat, but not too much. The fish haven't been biting that much recently." Uli waved as she and her daughter left the house.

"Have fun, dear." Rusl smiled. After she left, Veran began to shiver as if she was cold. Colin, without missing a beat grabbed a nearby blanket and draped it over the unconscious oracle. She stopped shivering, and let out a half sigh/half moan before settling. Rusl only chuckled at his son's seemingly virtuous acts. He was only twelve. Far too young to have less than pure thoughts.

^^^^^(Hours Later)^^^^^

Colin was dozing on the floor sat up against the foot of the bed Veran was currently resting in. Rusl was polishing another sword he recently forged, intended to give to the Princess like originally intended.

He then heard a rustling come from outside. In going to check outside, the creaking of the door stirred Colin.

"Dad?" Colin asked, rubbing his eyes.

"Oh, I don't think it's anything." Rusl reassured. "I think the cuccoos are just acting-" Whatever he saw, cut him off and turned his face dead serious. "Stand up."

"The sword I gave you that we promised mama we'd locked up. Get it." Colin quickly scrambled under the bed Veran was in and pulled out his child sized sword.

"Dad, what's…" Colin asked.

"Remember how we promised to keep Lady Veran safe?" Rusl asked in return.

"…yes." Colin answered.

Rusl smiled. "Keep that promise." Rusl quickly threw open the door and exited the house. In the brief moment the door was open, Colin saw Bo and Jaggle fist fighting with bokoblins. As soon as the door shut, Colin ran to lock it, then immediately returned to Veran's bedside ready to defend if necessary.

Listening through the door, however, that wouldn't need to happen. The sound of fist smashing against skin followed by the unsheathing of a sword signified a victory.

Colin then heard the adults talking.

"The women are fine. Those things didn't get that far in."

"Man, I can't believe we were ever afraid of those things."

"Isn't Ilia over taking care of Link's place? We should go over and see if she's okay."

"Rusl, shouldn't you go back and take care of your guest?"

"No, she's in good hands." Sounds Boots hitting the ground grew quieter as the men hurried to Link's Treehouse.

Colin sighed and relaxed, thankful the fighting was over. A bit too relaxed as he dropped his sword. He scrambled to pick it up, afraid that he may have dented the floor.

Something hit the door. Something heavy. Colin quickly unsheathed his sword and stared directly at the entrance. Another loud hit, and the door split down the middle. Three bokoblins then rushed inside. First not paying mind to the 10 year old, they chattered to each other before one pointed to the sleeping Veran.

One of the bokoblin then ran up to Colin and threw back his club back to strike the child. Colin was able to duck out of the way and stabbed the creature right in its bulbous belly. Looking slightly shocked at the child that just impaled him, the bokoblin dropped the club before Colin forced the creature off with his foot.

Still in shock with killing something, one of the other bokoblins was able to get a cheap shot off on the child and sent him into the other side of the room. The third then walked over to Veran, and raised its weapon to strike down.

Veran's eyes shot open. The two surviving bokoblins were wrapped in tendrils of shadow magic.

"How dare you treat the denizens of this village so shamefully!" Her voice bellowed as she slammed the bokoblins against the ground and then flung them out the doorway, where their lifeless bodies floated face down in the nearby creek.

Still powered by shadows, Veran turned her gaze towards the slightly terrified Colin. Her visage returned to normal as her black aura disappeared. "Oh, sorry about that. Lost my temper." She turned to face the door that the bokoblins shattered. "That won't do." The Twili Mage raised her hand and a black aura surrounded the splintered doorway. It magically reconstituted and returned to its hinges.

Veran sighed, and looked back at the child still on the floor. She kneeled down and asked "Are you all right, young one?"

The sincerity on her face calmed the boy down. "Uh, yeah. They didn't hurt you, did they Lady Veran?"

She looked touched by his concern. "I'm perfectly fine, love. It's you they attacked." The sorceress helped the young lad to his feet.

"I've dealt with those jerks before. They're usually all show but pretty easy to pushover."

"Well then aren't you the brave one!" Veran laughed. "Glad to have you protecting me."

Colin blushed slightly and put his hand behind his head. "I did make a promise to Link…"

Veran placed her hand on his shoulder. "And you sure did keep it, young one." Colin smiled brightly. "Now c'mon. I still think I sense a few more of those things mucking about outside." The sorceress made for the now fixed door with a still smiling Colin in tow, sword ready to take out whatever monsters were left.

^^^^^(End of Interlude)^^^^^

I did warn y'all it was short, ye? But here's my promise, soon as this bad boy's live, I'll be getting to work on the next chapter.

I did say there was one left and it's going to be pretty long. Not long enough to break it up into two, but I swear it's going to be here a bit sooner. I WANT to say by the end of July but I don't know if setting goals is a good thing for me as I just disappoint myself. But I'm off the 4th so maybe I'll just slam that out if I'm not grilling hotdogs or setting shit on fire. See you then, maybe!