((A/N: This was a pretty tricky chapter to write up. I had to try and figure out what I could about character histories for the group through the game script before I did this chapter. I also had to go back and clean up the conversation, calculate ages, get a better title… and I'm still dissatisfied with how the last part of it turned out. X-x Some conversations I'm just not good with XD

Retsof: Swweeeett, another reader and commenter rocks :D I like getting comments. And wait, steal my main char's name…? XD Er… for what?

Pumpkin: I shall call you Pumpkin, cuz that is the name I know you by, and your fanfics aren't crummy. Yep, I know you liked this chapter. :P Glad I could be such inspiration to you, too ^^))

Chapter 21: Bloodstained Past

Danielle trudged up the steep cave path, growing used to the cold slowly, but it still just wasn't enough for the youth. She went out to join Ashei on the snow-covered ledge, arms wrapped tightly around her, bandages covering the few injuries she had received in her scuffle with Cale. By now the blizzard had died away entirely, the sun shining down on the mountain trail. "Huh… It feels like… some evil power was wiped away from here for good," Danielle murmured, shielding her eyes to stare up at the trail. Ashei didn't respond. Turning away and tucking her helmet under her arm.

"Let's go, Danielle."

"Eh?" Danielle turned back slightly, giving the warrior a questioning look. "We're leaving?"

"The blizzard is gone, and that creature has not returned since Link left. Our work here is done. I'm sure we'll run into Link back at Telma's place and find out what happened, yeah? Maybe he somehow made it up the mountain while I wasn't here standing guard, tending to you."

"Yeah, maybe…" Danielle didn't say much in reply to that, knowing that Link had made his way up the mountain in his wolf form. As they both made their way into the domain, the youth felt immensely relieved to finally be out of the cold once and for all. Most of the Zora gave them curious looks once more, but they apparently figured that the two's work was done as they didn't really bother them. Maybe Ashei intimidated them as much as she did to Danielle.

Passing into Hyrule Field through a rocky passage, they came out on a rugged trail overlooking the lush green fields, the castle ahead of them encased by that golden barrier of magic. The setting sun cast an orangish glow over the entire land, the beauty of it taking her breath away. As the youth stared out across the field in amazement, Ashei looked over and actually gave a smirk, something that was very rare from the human. "Amazing, yeah? I had the same reaction the first time I saw it, too. This beautiful land is what I gladly fight to protect and return the peace to."

Danielle stared at the castle now, longing tugging at her heart. She yearned to be home with her family again, and the emotion was clearly displayed on her face. "Yeah… it really is something else," she replied half-heartedly, heaving out a sigh. The human gripped her shoulder slightly now, Danielle looking sideways at her. "Every time I look at the castle, I just wish I could be back home with them… but I remember the invasion, those beasts, seeing my brothers fall…"

"You were in the castle when those things came, yeah? How did you get out?" Danielle's eyes flickered, gaze returning to Hyrule Castle. There was no way she could explain that all of Hyrule's citizens were forced into spirit forms while she had been changed by Zant into a weak-looking dragon. She just remained silent, hoping that maybe Ashei would drop the question, but from what she knew of the warrior, she usually didn't let the truth remain hidden. Surprisingly enough, Ashei apparently took her silence as the memory being too painful. "Still hurts to think about it, yeah? Guess you don't have to tell… but when everything settles down, I do want to hear about it."

"Ashei! Danielle!"

A voice called out their names, the beat of a horse's hooves against the earth steadily growing louder. She didn't recognize the rider on a powerful brown steed, but Ashei apparently did. "Rusl?"

The Ordonian swordsman pulled up to them, lifting his helmet slightly to look down at the two young women. "I came to check on you two before I headed to Ordon Village. I take it you've finished your investigation?"

Ashei nodded, one hand resting on her hip. "As best as we could, yeah? I'm not sure what Link did, but things have settled down now. What about Ordon?"

"So far everything is peaceful, just interested in investigating the ruins in Faron." Lowering his helmet once more, he took both reins into his hands and tilted his head slightly. "And the knights?"

"Cale. We retrieved his bow, but he escaped," Ashei replied without hesitation, her voice hardening slightly.

Rusl frowned after hearing this, mostly because of the slightly confused look that Danielle gave her. "Escaped, hm? I see. Danielle?" Taken aback, she quickly shifted her gaze to the swordsman. "Would you like to come with me to Ordon? My wife Uli will take care of you while we're there, and you look as if you could use some rest."

"Er, thank you, Rusl. Yes, I'll go with you." As he reached out a hand to her, Danielle took it and was pulled up onto the back of the horse. Ashei gave a short wave before turning to head off, pausing when Danielle called her name. "Hey, Ashei? Be careful, alright? And please, take care of Blaine for me."

Ashei glanced back somewhat, one eyebrow raised. "That undignified, callous, pig-headed fool? I suppose I could. And you be careful yourself, Danielle. Don't get hurt, or it will be both Telma and myself having your head, yeah?" Turning once more, the warrior trekked across Hyrule Field towards the town while Rusl urged his horse on.

"Er… was Ashei being serious about what she called Blaine, or was that her cracking a joke? I didn't think she actually joked about things."

"Heh." Rusl gave a bit of a chuckle, shaking his head. "Ashei has seemingly taken a liking to you." Glancing over his shoulder, he was met with Danielle's surprised stare while she held on tight to him so she wouldn't fall. "I've known Telma for some time, and as soon as Ashei began to frequent the tavern, Telma took her under her wing. Being raised by her father has left her rather lacking in manners and harsh towards the soldiers of Hyrule."

"Taken a liking to me? It still seems to me like she hates my guts sometimes," Danielle thought aloud, inciting another chuckle from the older man. "Ashei's father was a knight, correct? Why did he leave? I've only heard that he did leave, but no real details about it."

"Hm… A touchy subject to bring up before her. Yes, he was a knight, a royal knight at that." Danielle's eyes widened briefly, but Rusl never looked back as he continued on. "He was at odds with your father many years ago after a skirmish in which innocent life was lost. Frustrated, her father left the royal knights and took Ashei to the mountains, raising her as a son and teaching her the ways of swordplay."

"And what was that argument between them?" Danielle questioned in a lower voice.

Rusl sighed, still looking straight ahead. He seemed reluctant to speak, but continued on regardless. "Several young children had lost their families during the skirmish. With his sons watching, Greil had cut them down when they tried to attack him out of vengeance." He paused, letting this sink in. Danielle could only sit there, shocked, unable to believe what she was hearing. "Without hesitating, your father slew them in cold blood, claiming afterwards to do it in defense. Greil swore his men to secrecy, but Ashei's father spoke out. What followed has since tarnished the reputation of the royal knights to those who know of this dark secret. An assassin murdered Ashei's mother and very nearly killed the young girl before being driven off by her father. The ex-knight fled to Snowpeak with his daughter when she was eight, and they lived there since. He still remains there, even though Ashei has since set off on her own and returned to castle town."

Danielle tried to take all of this in, but it wasn't really working so well for her. She was appalled to think that her father, of royal blood, the brother of the former king, had been heartless enough to cut down innocent children like what Rusl told her. But why would the swordsman lie to her? He had nothing to gain from doing so, which meant Danielle could only assume all of what he spoke was the truth. "Who… was the assassin? Do you know?"

"Nobody will speak of it, but Ashei knows the murderer's identity." They were passing over a wooden rope bridge now, the horse slowing down to a trot now that they were in Faron Province. "She revealed it to me in confidence… and I believe you have the right to know." Removing his helmet, Rusl looked back at her over his shoulder, his face carrying a weary and sorrowful expression. "The assassin, a young knight in training at the age of thirteen… was Cale."

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Rusl felt his wife's hand fall on his shoulder, looking back at her. "Uli… Thank you for being willing to give Danielle shelter on such short notice."

His wife smiled, wrapping one arm around Rusl's waist now as she joined him at his side. "I'm just glad you arrived home safely. And the children?"

"Safe. Kakariko's shaman is taking good care of them." Rusl allowed a slight smile himself. "Colin has grown, too. There's a courage in his eyes that I've never seen before. I'm very proud of him."

Uli chuckled slightly, staring out the window into the night. "He always idolized Link as a hero, so I suppose it's natural that some of Link's courage rubbed off on him." She looked off to the side to where Danielle sat in a chair, fast asleep with her head leaned back, a blanket having been placed over her by Uli after she dozed off. "How long will you stay this time?" she asked Rusl thoughtfully.

"As long as my investigation takes. Link will join me in Faron Woods to look into the strange ruins past the Forest Temple. When we are done, I must take my leave and return to Castle Town."

"As busy as ever, I see," Uli murmured slightly in disappointment.

Rusl sighed softly and looking down at her, cupping her face in his hands. "Uli, as soon as this is all over, I will return here with the children, and things will settle down… It will just take a little more time, that's all." He kissed her forehead gently, smiling down at her until she finally returned the smile.

"I'll take your word on that… But you should perhaps focus on getting your rest now. It seems like you've had quite a long day."

"Heh, that I have…" Lowering his hands, he watched his wife make her way to their bed before turning his gaze to where Danielle rested. He was now having second thoughts about revealing what he had to the young girl. That pale, shocked look that had been on her face had shown just how hard the revelation had hit her. Those who knew of that dreadful secret were few and far between. Had it been wise to share this with that very knight's own child?

Rusl frowned, turning away to join his wife. He had made the right choice in his heart, and now it was up to Danielle to choose how to take it. He had to admit that if he had been in the Hylian's place, he would have not taken it as calmly.

Something about her seems different from when I saw her before her appearance changed so drastically. There is a different expression in her eyes, and she carries herself with much more confidence. I wonder what has caused such a change within her?

"Whatever the cause, I merely pray that the goddesses aid this child in succeeding at whatever task it is she fights to complete. There… are still things that she carries by herself, burdens that she wishes not to place on anyone else… burdens that a child like herself shouldn't be forced to carry." Sighing softly and shaking his head, he turned and slowly walked off.

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Ashei frowned as she stared down at Blade's resting form, one hand gently gripping the hilt of her sword as it was rested upon the sheathed blade. He had no idea she was here, and in one strike she could rid the world of a son of a murderer. But what would that accomplish? For so long she had harbored anger towards all knights, especially the ones involved in ruining her father's life and killed her mother in cold blood. So why her change of heart? Back at Snowpeak, she could have executed Cale in one swift stroke before the eyes of his sister.

"Why didn't I? Was it just because Danielle was there? I have always been disgusted with those three men, and I hated the fact their sister was so enamored with them, especially that Cale. She cherished as heroes the ones I so despised…"

Scowling, she couldn't turn her gaze away from Blaine. Maybe she had been wrong to judge him in such a way, she didn't know. People did change with time. Perhaps even those three boys had as they became young men. What she did know was that her desire to take vengeance on the callous knights had dissolved ever since she came to really know that young girl. It made no sense, it was something she just couldn't figure out…

I can't take away the only remaining family of a child who has already lost her mother… who has had to deal with her own family trying to kill her.

"Danielle… you are truly a strange one, to affect those around you in such profound ways…" Ashei sat down, arms crossed as she watched Blaine sleep, that scowl melting away as she pondered her own feelings. "But would you love your family as much if you knew the truth?"