The silence between Link and I isn't uncomfortable, at all. It was something that came natural, something we both approved of. Something we both wanted. I had known him for so little, yet the silence was almost one of two good friends just simply enjoying each other's company.
At a time like this, I found it pretty ironic.
I let my mind wonder to my small home and ranch. I wondered how the animals were doing, if they were still at healthy weight. They were my responsibility, anyway.
The rusty silence continued as we made our way through an entire city of Hylians. Each in their own form of misery- A woman crying out to her son, a night who lost his life in the battles almost a year ago, Her raspy whisper piercing my heart like a thousand amplified screams. There was a young girl crying, clutching her slightly bulging belly in her unnatural sleep- This worried me, I'd have to see if the child was still alive- and behind closed curtains was a small blonde woman, one of the quieter ones, who simply muttered every now and them.
Ashei had told me she was an important case.
In all honesty, if it weren't for Ashei's comment, I'd probably not have been so interested in her.
Link stopped in his tracks, turning to look back into the direction of the row we had just come from.
"…Did you hear something?"
This time an audible groan of confusion shot out from the row of Hylians.
We made our way back towards the bed of the young mother, her tears now stained her face, her eyes wide open with panic as she clutched her stomach and shrieked.
"She's been gone for a week." Links face was twisted with unfamiliar confusion and determination and he attempted to calm the kicking teenager down. She only relented when he was almost physically on top of her.
"My baby!"
I rushed to her side and put a hand on her stomach, and she began to shriek even more.
Then I remembered I wasn't disguised.
Cursing under my breath I felt for movement inside her womb, and slowly became more and more frustrated as each second went by, her screams becoming only pants, and her child refusing to show any signs of life.
Minutes went by, and I realized just how much of a miracle it would be if her child survived. But as I pulled my hand away, I felt the smallest vibration from her womb, and sighed in relief.
"She needs nutrition."
I stayed with the woman as Link made his way to the guards.
"…You're not going to kill me."
Her tone was more a statement than a question, but I took it so anyway.
I smiled at the young mother. "Now why would I do such a thing?"
She looked genuinely confused. "But… the war? The fighting… You hate us."
"I don't hate you. You've never done anything to me before. In fact, I'm working on helping you."
"…Who did this to me?"
"…One of my kind. But I assure you, we are attempting to bring her down."
"I don't understand…"
"It's quite complicated, young lady." I look down at her stomach. "We should get you home. I'm sure you have a husband waiting for you."
"He's gone. Died six months ago."
So that meant she was raising a child alone.
"Do not worry. We'll do our best to help you. I'll do my best."
I had realized her face of panic had simply become one of wonder. Her tears were dried and she looked at me with not fear, but confusion.
"So some of you are good…"
"Yes. Some. Most."
Within minutes she was on her way out, most likely to stay in a town in Ordon, where we had decided the night before those without family would stay. Ordona was kind enough to let us use her spring.
And I continued to the special patient.
Her curtains always remained drawn, but they were slightly opened from the side. It could have simply been the wind, I had decided, as I quietly drew them back.
And I'm glad I did so quietly.
Sam lay there, chest rising and falling rapidly, arms sprawled around the low bed, hand in hand with the blond woman.
And I understood.
