((A/N: Wow, a back-to-back update. Almost never happens from me. Yeah, I wasted my time in the library working on my fanfic instead of typing up that paper on C.S. Lewis that I have due when I get back to school from spring break… I'm a lazy bum and procrastinator, I know. That, and I forgot to grab the book I'm referencing when I came to the library. Guess I'll be working on it at home… sooooo about this chapter. I was having a bit of trouble typing it up from paper, trying to make things seem better. I didn't go into depth about Telma treating the injury due to the fact that I am not that knowledgeable of injuries and the treatment of them. Also, how she is able to walk is due to the added strength she has from the powers the light spirits gave her, although she can't take as much damage as Link could.

Ten: Yup, Greil's the only one left. I tried to think up a good way of reversing his strategy, but I kinda just gave up on it partway through. So, that's what ended up happening instead.

Jenn: For me, the thing that came to mind was Inque from Batman Beyond, even though it's been AGES since I've seen it. I dunno. I have been changing Animus's power a lot, trying to figure out what'll be best for it. Not easy coming up with that one, that's for sure. And yeah, Greil will be the toughest, as he is the oldest and most experienced. And yeah, Midna's little change of heart gave me some trouble writing, as she doesn't really open up until Link travels with her to the Gerudo Desert.))

Chapter 14: The Tables Turn

Danielle rode Jaraci into Kakariko Village, the moon hanging overhead and softly illuminating everything. She saw Telma's wagon stopped outside of the inn, the tavern keeper herself nowhere in sight. Epona was also nearby, and Danielle pulled Jaraci up to Link's steed before carefully dismounting and leaving a hand on the saddle to brace herself. "I guess you are off to find Link?" she asked of Midna, only to be answered by silence. Apparently the imp had already left.

Was she going to apologize about what she said earlier when we sought to restore light to Eldin?

A slight frown crossed her face, her thoughts turning to Midna's icy attitude. Needless to say the imp didn't like her all too well, but why? What secrets were Midna hiding? Her goals and motives were unknown, and Danielle couldn't shake the feeling that they were but pawns for the strange being. "Pawns in a game we cannot even begin to comprehend," she murmured under her breath.

"Danielle! Why did you come out here? I told you to stay in town!" the familiar voice of Telma shouted, causing the teen to lift her head. Telma rarely yelled at people unless she was really upset. Apparently now was one of those times. Danielle glanced sideways, the barkeep already down the steps of the porch and striding over to her with concern on her face. She turned slightly from Jaraci just in time to be wrapped in a warm embrace. In a matter of seconds she was released, Telma gripping her gently by the shoulders. What anger had been in her voice was nowhere on her face. "Are you okay, honey? Were you hurt?"

Taken aback by the hug, it took her a moment to respond with a nod. "Got me in my leg…" Telma looked down, cringing before wrapping her arm around Danielle's waist and slinging one of the teen's arms around her shoulders, helping her to the wagon. With the older woman's aid, Danielle managed to climb into the wagon and sit down with her back against the side and her legs stretched out in front of her. Pain ripped through her leg as Telma turned it slightly to get a better glimpse of the injury, an involuntary cry escaping Danielle's lips. A lantern hung inside of the wagon, giving the barkeep just enough light to see what she was doing. "I figured it would not be a good idea to pull out that arrow myself back there. It's in pretty deep."

The flickering flame cast dim light on part of her dark-skinned face, Telma's eyes focused on the arrow. "You're quite right about that. Did one of those beasts get you?"

I can't tell her Blaine did this. She'd be heartbroken to know her favorite patrons have been attacking their own sibling, she thought to herself before nodding. "Yes… I didn't take it out fast enough before it shot me," Danielle murmured, hating having to lie to Telma.

Frowning, she gripped the arrow by its wooden shaft, lifting her head to stare Danielle in the eye. "Ready, sweetie?" Danielle nodded, clenching her hands tightly into fists as Telma began to pull out the arrow, a scream of pain filling the air…

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She had been resting in the back of Telma's wagon, the tavern keeper tending to her bandaged leg before trying to catch a bit of shut-eye herself. The night passed slowly for Danielle, nightmares awakening her often from her troubled sleep, the malicious visages of her brothers haunting her dreams. Early in the morning, before the sun had even risen, Danielle was awakened not by nightmares, but by the quiet murmur of voices outside of the wagon. Her eyes flickered open, the young Hylian taking note of the fact that Telma wasn't inside. Still lying on the blankets that served as a makeshift bed, Danielle listened to the low voices.

"I worry for her, Renado. She is still a child. Every time I see her, I recall when I walked into that room and saw a fragile and sickly little girl lying there alone while her family was off in war. She has no mother, you know. Dead at the hands of that same illness."

At this Danielle sat up, recognizing Telma's voice instantly. It was easy to tell the barkeep was talking about her, but why? And what sickness? She didn't remember ever being sick like what Telma had described. Then again, the war had been ten years ago. At the time, she would have been four. "But she cannot be treated as a child forever. She must be allowed to forge her own destiny," Renado's softer voice replied. "I am well aware of what she suffered, as you delivered her to me at the risk of being attacked by the bandits who terrorized the plains."

"You know, thinking back on that day… the guard who came to get me said the princess pleaded with him to find some way to save the poor girl. Princess Zelda was taking care of Danielle entirely on her own while she was having to endure taking charge of the kingdom during the war. Wasn't right, having to lose both parents at that age. Remarkably strong, just like the king and queen."

Silence filled the air for several seconds before Renado spoke up once more. "You care much for this child, Telma."

"Have to be a fool not to see it. That poor girl never knew her mother, and her father and brothers were off fighting when she was little. That girl needed someone to be like a mother to her when all she had left were a bunch of rowdy fighters." Danielle turned her head just slightly, eyes widening at this. Someone like a mother to her? Was that why Telma was always so kind and loving to the noble child? "I love that little girl. I see myself in her at times. That's why I don't want her out fighting and getting hurt."

Telma was moving towards the front of the wagon now, Danielle lying back down on the blankets as she closed her eyes. She did not want to be caught eavesdropping…

"Hmph. That child is a fighter, Telma. When I see those eyes, I see a just and courageous warrior focused on her goals. Do not try to hold her back, for she is not your child."

This time Telma didn't answer, Danielle hearing her pull herself up to the driver's seat. Heavy footsteps approached the wagon. "I'm going to go ahead and return to town. Should be safe this time around with a Goron as a guard." With a jolt, the wagon began to set off back towards Castle Town. Danielle sighed softly, turning her thoughts from the conversation she overheard to what she should do next. Link would likely be hunting down the last Fused Shadow, and Danielle's father was carrying the last of the sealed weapons. He would be the hardest to defeat, but there was no other choice but to fight him.

A hand gently brushed her forehead, causing Danielle to open her eyes. Telma had reached back to stroke her hair, smiling warmly. "We're heading home now, sweetie. Just rest and try not to move that leg of yours."

Danielle paused for a minute, thinking. She wanted to head to Lanayru's spring and wait for Link to return from wherever he was at. "Ah, Telma… I need to go to Lake Hylia."

She turned her head to the side in order to look back at Danielle, one eyebrow raised. "Lake Hylia? With your leg in the shape it's in?" Danielle remained silent, continuing to gaze evenly at Telma. Finally, she relented and let out a heavy sigh. "I guess Renado's right. I see that same look in your eyes he mentioned. Alright then, I'll bring you to Lake Hylia, but promise me you'll stay out of trouble."

Smiling at this, Danielle nodded. "I'll be careful, Telma. Thank you."

"You're welcome, but I'll hold you to your words, honey," Telma replied, smiling a bit herself. "And when you get back to town, drop by my place. There's some friends of mine I'd like you to meet. They're all fighting to return order to Hyrule when so many have lost hope. Seeing that look in your eyes, I think you'd be perfect to help them…"

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"Walk on the leg you had an arrow stabbed through by your older brother the day before. Brilliant idea," she hissed under her breath, limping along towards the entrance to the spirit's spring. Several times she had to stop and take the strain off of her injured leg, the wound throbbing sharply beneath the bandages. "Next time I'll be sure to let it something heal before I walk on it, let alone take a swim in Lake Hylia."

Danielle stepped into the spring, looking around slowly to see if Link had arrived. "Guess he's still off looking for that piece. He should be back soon, though… I hope." She sighed, contemplating if she should just go ahead and sit down to wait while her clothes finished drying off when a chill ran up her spine suddenly. Particles of Twilight shot down to take the form of Link, the hero's back to her. As he went to turn, the black-robed figure that had invaded Hyrule Castle appeared out of thin air in the blink of an eye. Shock filled Link's face as he very nearly walked into the helmeted king of shadows, Danielle moving to charge at the one who controlled her brothers and father with his dark magic.

In an instant, everything went wrong.

Sching!

Danielle both felt and heard her sword being drawn by someone behind her; before she could even turn her head, a sharp pain ripped through her stomach. Time seemed to slow down, Link crying her name while his voice sounded very far off. Slowly looking down, her sapphire eyes fell upon a bloodstained sword impaled through her stomach. It was her own sword, the Champion Blade, and her attacked leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

"Hello, Danielle…"

Father…?