Ilia made her way home from Faron Woods, a bundle of firewood on her back. It was a pleasant afternoon, so she stopped for a break at the spring to rest. A patch of odd weeds caught her eye, and she reminisced about how Epona would come when Link blew through them.
It had been two months since they reunited in Castle Town, and though Ilia saw for herself that day that her friend was alive, it didn't make her stop worrying for Link's safety. Her concerns intensified when she heard a rumor that the new king hadn't been seen in weeks. Ganondorf had proven to be a visible ruler, and frequently made appearances on the streets. Ilia didn't venture into town often, but Rusl and Colin did, and Colin especially liked to talk about the Gerudo male. He had accepted the change in monarchy quicker than his father did, and held no prejudice.
So it was because of the little boy's fond descriptions that Ilia recognized the stranger approaching her. Ganondorf paused and stood at the edge of the spring, the sleeves of his black kimono fluttering in the wind.
"You, young woman. Tell me, am I close to Ordon Village? I'm looking for someone there and it's urgent I find them."
Ilia stood still, taking in the giant man standing before her. He looked terrifying, but there was no animosity in his voice. "I am the mayor's daughter. Whatever you want can be settled with me," Ilia huffed in her best intimidation voice.
"Then perhaps you are the one I am looking for. I remember she had a friend, someone who was good with horses...?"
"'She?' Are you talking about Link? What happened, is Link okay?" Ilia went into a panic, running over and yanking on the Gerudo's coat. "Where is she? If you hurt her, I swear to the Goddesses..."
Ganondorf lowered his head and sighed. "This is a complicated situation. Perhaps it would be best for me to speak with your father..."
It hurts... All I feel is pain. Pain that I've let Hyrule down. Pain that I couldn't stop the Gerudo from being oppressed. Pain that I couldn't save Ganondorf...
His soul must be in agony. If Kona and Sheik can't stop the demon, what will happen to him? He may be gruff and intimidating, but he does not deserve to suffer. He's kind, loyal, brave... and romantic. Yes, he is very affectionate. He grooms his horse, he praises his warriors, he even humors the children in the streets.
And he... he even pays attention to me as a girl. I don't have to hide, and I've never needed to fake a smile when he's around. His touches were so warm... A shame I'll never feel that heat again.
So this is what love is... Ironic that I've learned it here at the end. But perhaps I'll get to feel it in the next life...
"A tear? Hey, the kid's crying!"
...What?
"Crying? Maybe the pain is returning. Make another one of those potions."
"I already explained this, girl. Potions don't work on injuries of this magnitude."
These voices are familiar... What's happening?
"That doesn't mean we can't try. Something has to be able to help her. What made the pain go away for you when you lost that eye?"
"I worked through the pain. It was a badge of honor, something a little farm girl like you wouldn't understand."
Kona? And the other voice, it sounds like... Ilia...
"...uhn..."
The darkness that had enveloped Link's vision faded, and the owners of the two voices came into sight. She was back at Hyrule Castle, and the first face she saw bore a pair of bright green eyes filled with concern.
"Link! You're awake!"
It really was Ilia. And Kona too, as intact as she last saw her. Link tried her best to smile, but even the smallest movements brought more pain. Her voice failed her as well, and she couldn't manage more than the simplest grunts. Ilia rubbed Link's hair, tears welling in her eyes and too choked up to do anything but smile at her friend.
"...an..."
"Easy kid, your throat was crushed," Kona said, shushing Link as she grabbed a hand mirror. "Take a look. You're almost as wrapped up as the okama." Link looked at her reflection, and what Kona said was true. Her forehead and neck were wrapped with thick gauze. There were large scratches above and below her left eye, and the right was completely surrounded by bruising. The rest of her body was in similar shape. A layer of thick cotton bandages hugged her torso, and her left leg was in a cast below the knee.
"Your chest will recover quickly," Kona explained. "The wound wasn't too deep, and fortunately we had a blood donor available." She made a motion to the corner, where Sheik lay asleep in a chair. "Pretty handy that you two have the same blood type. Anyway, okama's got night duty, so he's sleeping now. I said your chest will be fine, but it's really important that we keep an eye on your neck. You toss around a bit in your sleep, so we don't want you to reinjure it."
"...na..."
"Link, it's best you don't try to talk," Ilia softly chided, wiping both hers and her friend's tears away.
But Link insisted, struggling to get out that same single word: "...Gan..."
Kona huffed when she realized what Link was trying to say. "You're worried about him, aren't you? Well, no need to, he's fine." Link let out what sounded like a sigh at the news, before closing her eyes and slipping back into slumber.