Heyo! Just one memo for the viewers who read the last chapter super early. I realized the day after I uploaded that my burner email never went through. I updated the chapter with the burner email as close as I could get to Yahoo, so... As always, I don't own Legend of Zelda.

Grannie stood at the fireplace. She lifted a water kettle to the counter. Marin sat against the wall, one leg bent, and sharpened his sword. She asked, "Linore, would you be a dear and grab the jar with the leaf on the lid?"

I didn't even question how she knew it was me. I handed over the jar. She added some of its contents to three mismatched mugs. Marin turned up his nose. "What are you concocting now, hag?"

I poured water over the dried leaves. "It's tea, but watch your tone or I'll add salt instead of sugar."

"You wouldn't dare," he challenged.

I raised an eyebrow. I reached for the shaker. "Wouldn't I? My day hasn't been great."

Marin jumped up. "You're serious?"

My hand threatened his cup. Marin lunged for the shaker. He covered the lid with his palm. I yanked away and turned. Marin wrapped his arms around my waist. He grunted, "Give me the salt!"

I squealed and tried to throw him over my shoulder. "Never!"

I screamed as he pulled back and lifted me off my feet. I freed a hand and reached around to tickle his side. He commanded between giggles, "Stop that!"

The lizard darted between his legs and he lost his balance. We landed in a heap. The shaker rolled across the floor. Its white grains left a sad trail. Grannie chuckled. "Enough. I haven't heard such petty squabbling since my children were young."

Marin rolled out from under me and groaned. "You fight dirty."

I reverse somersaulted onto my feet. "Doesn't matter as long as I win."

Marin gave me a shocked look. I winked and measured sugar into each cup. Grannie settled with the lizard in her lap. "You shouldn't be surprised, boy. You've already learned that lesson the hard way."

Marin brooded, "You don't know me, hag."

"Don't I? Your hard facade is poor armor that will only alienate your allies."

Marin flinched and fell silent. I pressed a mug into his hands and sat beside him. I nursed my own cup while it was still hot. After a few minutes, I said, "I didn't know you had children, Grannie."

Marin commented under his breath, "Two hundred years ago."

I choked on my tea. Grannie sipped and rocked. "Three boys and a girl. One son became a peddler and ventured to foreign lands. Another went to seek his fortune at sea. My third son perished of fever before his twelfth birthday."

"And your daughter?"

Grannie smiled to herself. "She stayed. Even married a soldier like you. I hardly blame her. I would have pursued him if I'd been her age."

Marin replied, "That's a mental image I can't unsee."

I sputtered into my cup again. I shot him an ungrateful look. Marin smirked around his mug. I swallowed the rest of my tea in the silence that followed. Grannie held out her hands. "Give me your cup, dearie. I'll read your future."

I watched as Grannie swirled the dregs and twisted the cup in her wrinkled hands. She gave a toothy grin. "The goddesses smile upon you, Linore. You have love and friendship awaiting along your path."

Marin clicked his tongue. "Any hack could come up with that."

"You doubt me, boy? Hand me your cup. I'll teach you to question me." She stared into the cup. Her hooked nose twitched. I jumped as the candles flickered. She said, "Your past is tragic. You've lived a hard life for someone so young. Everything you had was stolen except the love of a special caretaker. Yet as difficult as you've had it, the real challenge lies ahead. For you are-"

Marin snatched the cup and smashed it against the wall. He was pale and shaking. He held his wrist at his side in a white knuckled grip. "Don't... Don't say it."

I stood and put an arm around his shoulders. He jumped before leaning into me. Grannie looked at him with new eyes full of sympathy. "You sweet boy." Then she went stiff and reached for her own cup. She blanched after a mere glance. "Quickly! Into the back room!"

"Grannie, what-"

"There's no time," She interrupted me. Her cane was forgotten as she hobbled after us. Navi darted through the doorway. Grannie commanded, "Stay here until I let you out. And whatever you hear, utter no sound."

The room was cast into darkness as she locked the door, but I didn't dare draw back the curtains. Grannie was scared, which terrified me. Marin tried the handle and cursed. "Hey, let us out!" He pounded a fist. All was silent on the other side. He hissed, "Why would she-"

I covered his mouth. Navi flew under my hat, further enhancing the blackness. I gripped his hand in the dark and I counted to ten before the front door opened. We slowly backed away until our shoulders were against the far wall.

Thick soled boots crossed the floor to Grannie. Her rocker creaked. "You're just in time for tea."

The table chair was pulled and the unexpected guest sat. "If you insist." I shivered and felt Marin freeze next to me. Guinandora asked, "Is anyone else home?"

I heard water being poured. Grannie answered, "They just left. May I interest you in a cookie?"

"You are not my grandmother. You do not need to dote on me."

Grannie chuckled. "I can't be a gracious host to the queen of Hyrule anymore?"

Guinandora said with spite, "I know you hylians only cower before me because you fear death."

"Then you have come to the right home. The old and feeble have moved beyond fear to acceptance, Guinandora. Have a cookie."

The unmistakable sound of a cookie breaking was the only sound. Guinandora asked, "Are you sure there's no one else here?"

Grannie said a little too forcefully, "We are all there is. Well, us and my pet. He's quite rare. I recieved him as a gift from one of your people many years ago. Rare and intelligent, this species of-"

"Don't lie to me, witch." Guinandora's tone left Grannie speechless. "I can smell her beyond the corner. I'd recognize that sickly sweet stench anywhere."

Grannie stamped her cane on the floor. "If you are going to be unpleasant, you're welcome to leave." The scrape of a chair left me on edge. "I demand that you leave this instant. This is my home, Guinandora!"

"Silence your tongue, hag." She approached the door. Her figure blocked the light under the door. Her nails scraped the wood. I covered my mouth and closed my eyes. Goddess, why was my breathing so loud? Guinandora complimented, "You've compeltely hidden my vision beyond this point. A novel trick, for an old woman. Tell me who is with her."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Grannie answered. The waver in her voice made my throat clench.

Guinandora strode back to Grannie. Grannie gasped in surprise. A startled cry was cut off when she began to gag and choke. Guinandora said, "We both know that isn't true. You filled three cups. Who was your third guest, Lucita?"

Grannie refused to answer, her breath barely coming in short gasps. Guinandora growled, "Fine."

The sound of a large object hitting the wall shook the house behind us. My short scream was muffled by my hand. Marin looked down at me, eyes wide with fear I knew was reflected in mine. Guinandora paced slowly back to the door. I held my breath.

"Linore, I know you're in there. It's rude to keep your guests waiting." I didn't answer. Guinandora continued, "You're not going to come say hello?" Marin wrapped an arm around my side and closed his eyes tight. His chest rose and fell as quickly as my own.

"At least tell me the name of the one in there with you." I gagged at the venemous honey in her words. She was trying to entrance me like the dragon. Guinandora twisted the doorknob. "The old woman is dead, or nearly so. You'll be trapped back there without my help, Linore. Are you willing to die in the dark, afraid and unaware that a simple answer would make me indebted to you?"

I swayed where I stood. Marin caught me before I fell. He put his forehead to mine. His tears fell on my cheeks. After an unbearably long time, Guinandora walked away. The front door shut. We fell to our knees and clutched onto one another.

Navi came out. "I don't sense her anymore."

His blue light guided us to the door. Marin tried the handle, but it was still locked. I knocked. "Grannie, are you alright?" I knocked again. "Grannie?"

My question was met with silence. Marin tried forcing the door. "Back up. I'm going to knock it in."

He rammed his shoulder against it. A dull thud was the only effect. Navi flew to the wall. "The hinges are here!"

"Do you have a knife?"

Marin patted his chest and came up with a hunting knife. I tried prying the pin loose. I grit my teeth. "Come on!"

Metal on wood in the other room made me pause. A clawed reptilian foot pushed a key under the door. Marin immediately grabbed it and unlocked the door. We rushed into the main room. Grannie was lying on the floor in an unnatural position. I straightened her body and put my head to her chest.

"She's still alive!" A cut on her head had matted her white hair. "Go to my uncle. Bring my pack. Go now!"

Marin nodded and ran out the door. He didn't bother closing it. I searched out a towel and pressed it to the wound. The lizard scuttled over and put itself under Grannie's hand. A low purring growl emmited from it. "Don't worry, lizard. I'm not going to let her die yet."

Footsteps thundered up the stairs. Marin returned and knelt at my side. He gripped my hand. "Goddess, what happened?"

I reached into my pack. "She, uh, tripped and fell. I didn't know what else to do."

Ben put a hand on my shoulder and nodded. "Everything will be fine."

I nodded and pulled out my bottle. Marin brought over the warm kettle. I washed away the blood and treated her wound with the goron's potion. Ben wrapped her in a blanket.

Grannie blinked up at me, eyes blurry. "Adela, you came home."

Ben looked into her eyes. "Link came to me, shaman. You're going to be alright."

Grannie focused on me. "Ah, Linore. Ben, would you go to my room and fetch my slippers?"

"That's hardly necessary. You took a nasty-"

"My slippers please."

Ben looked up at me and glanced at the ceiling. "Alright. Your slippers."

"There's a good man." When he was gone, she turned back to us. "Link, you need to return to the forest where it's safe. Boy, I'm such a fool. I thought my charms and spells would protect you, but I am sorry. You both have to run! There is no other way!"

"Here you are."

Grannie smiled at Ben. "Such a sweet man. Remember what I said, dearie."

I put my bottle back in my pack. "Uncle, I have to go. Will you take care of Grannie for me?"

"What? Why?" Ben stuttered.

I pulled Marin up. "No time! I'll see you soon!"

We fled Grannie's house. There was no one on the way to the stable. Even the stablemaster was nowhere to be seen as Marin and I mounted Epona. I kicked her to her fastest. We didn't slow down until the trees shaded us.

I stopped her to drink from a pool two hours deep into the forest. The moon was high. I buried my face in Epona's withers. "Why, Marin? Why does Guinandora want you?"

Marin stopped pacing. "She's been after me for years, but that's the closest she's gotten to catching me." He took a deep breath and lifted his shoulders. "Guinandora wants me because I know where to find the prince."

My hope plumetted. "Goddess save us."

Marin touched my back. "Thank you for protecting me. Her magic was so strong. I don't know how you resisted."

I shuddered and took a deep breath. "She doesn't know your name. You're be safe within the forest. Let's return to the temple and try to think of our next move."

"Master... Master Link..."

I stretched. "What is it, Fi?"

"There is an eighty percent chance the man who slept at your side last night will not survive his encounter with the wolves who guard the temple entrance."

It took a moment for that to sink in. "Dear goddess!"

Fi returned to the sword as I bolted toward the front door. Wolf snarls were heard long before I reached the main hall. When I saw them, Marin was squared up against Genesus. He was oblivious to Terminus stalking him from behind.

She prepared to pounce. I threw myself between her and Marin. "Terminus, no!"

She knocked me down. Her paws on my chest stopped my breath and her fangs closed around my shoulder. Her growl died in her throat when she realized it was me. Her weight removed from my chest and I gasped.

"Get away from it, Link!"

Marin had turned his back to Genesus when he warned me. Genesus pushed him over as he ran and stood above me. It was a defensive stance reserved for pups when the den was attacked. I coughed and sat up. "Stay back, Marin."

"I have to-"

"No! Stay back." Terminus punctuated my words with a growl. Marin finally listened. While Genesus watched Marin, Terminus whined and licked my shoulder. The zoran armor had saved my life. I grabbed Terminus around the neck. "I'm fine. You didn't hurt me."

She lifted me to my feet and pushed me between her and her mate. They still watched Marin. I commanded, "Lower your sword."

"Link, have you lost your mind?"

"Do it!" I hissed. I shimmied between the wolves and kept a firm hold on Genesus as they crept forward. "Once they realize we're friends, they won't attack."

Genesus growled and lifted his lip. Marin twitched and looked away. Genesus sniffed the front of his clothes. I prayed he still smelled like me and Epona after yesterday's ride. Terminus sneezed and Genesus backed off. He licked the inside of my arm and followed his mate.

Marin released his held breath. I said, "You're lucky it was me you met the first time you visited the temple. Even Skullkid would have been too much." I sighed. "Follow me."

The wolves watched him from beside the door. At last he trotted after me. We returned to the sanctuary. Marin grumbled, "First that old woman, now you. You can't keep me here forever, Link."

"Prove it to me."

"Huh?"

I paced ten steps and drew my sword. "Grannie told me to protect you. If you want to leave, prove you can defend yourself."

"Really? All I have to do is best you?"

I nodded. "I'm still ahead one to zero."

Marin drew his sword. "I've been practicing since the day we met. I won't go easy."

I set my stance and controlled my breathing. "Quit talking and attack."

Marin sneered and charged. I blocked his strikes and he pushed me back. We locked weapons. Marin growled, "Come on, hero. Give me a challenge."

I backstepped and twirled. Marin fell forward from a sudden lack of resistance. He tripped over a stump and ate dirt. I walked back to the center. "You are a good swordsman. Your technique is solid and your reaction time is incredible, but you've made a mistake that would leave you dead on the battlefield."

Marin glared at me when he picked himself up. "You're smug. Think you've got me figured out?"

I held his eyes, my emotions held back. I used Farore's wind. My sword pressed to his neck. "I know I do. Your fatal flaw was when you assumed I would fight fair."

Marin stepped back, eyes wide. He was starting to understand, but I had to be sure. I didn't warn him before I lashed out. He barely blocked me. I saw his jaw clench when I forced him back three steps.

I pushed my advance. Marin finally returned my strikes. We spun and moved around the sanctuary. Marin's hits were losing control. He was depending on strength to best me? Clearly he didn't know about Darunia's bracelet. In a desperate ploy, he sidestepped and struck until his back was to the sanctuary exit. Then he turned and ran.

I waved a hand. Marin screamed and fell backward as flames filled the doorway. Farore's wind set me in a tree behind him. Marin scrambled to his feet and frantically searched for me. His blue eyes were shining and there was a bruise on his arm I didn't remember seeing after his fight with the wolves. His chest rose and fell without pattern. "Face me, you coward."

I took a steady breath and leapt from the tree. Marin turned. I rolled and swept a leg. He fell. I came to my feet and put my sword beneath his chin. "Had this been a real fight, you'd be dead."

I stepped back and sheathed my sword. Marin covered his face with his arm. His breathing stuttered through his teeth. There was no grace as he cried. I sighed and sat beside him. My hand rested on his wrist. "I'm sorry, Marin. You aren't ready to challenge Guinandora. I didn't know how else to show you."

Marin turned onto his side and pulled out of my hold. He curled into himself. I sighed and went to my bag. Lifting the ocarina, I played every lullaby I knew. Eventually, his sobs quieted and his breathing settled.

I meditated and returned to my sacred realm. My father leaned on a tree. "How was your trip?"

A bubble of nervous laughter escaped me. Sef's grimace deepened as I told him what had happened. "I need to get stronger."

Sef hugged me. "You will."

We trained until the afternoon. When I returned to the sanctuary, Marin was sitting crosslegged where I'd left him. I asked, "How do you feel?"

Marin looked at the wall. There was a wounded look in his expression I recognized from the time I found an injured fox in the wood. "My ego is destroyed. You really know how to bruise a man's pride. I didn't..." He paused and took a deep breath. His next words confirmed he had learned from my harsh lesson. "What do you want me to do?"

I stood and stretched. "We'll stick together and train." I drew the master sword. "Fi? Come out and say hello."

Fi materialized beside me and gave a small curtsy. "Greetings, Marin, friend of my master. I am Fi." She turned to me. "Master, despite great odds, the man who antagonized the temple guardians is still alive. I've deducted a ninety eight percent probability that this is due to your intervention."

"She said-"

"I know what she said," Marin shot her a sour look. "Is she always so rude?"

"You speak faerie?"

Marin crossed his arms. "I'm not an idiot. My education was quite thorough."

"Oh yeah, Hanaka called you and I highborn."

Marin shuddered. "Don't remind me. He's almost as terrifying as Guinandora."

I shook my head. "I don't think so. He was scared-"

"Trust me, the last thing Stormtower would be is scared. His warriors are the most lethal thing in this land."

I wouldn't win this argument. Instead, I turned to Fi. "Let's begin."

Fi nodded and we danced together. Marin watched. When the sun was low, we stopped for the day and returned to Kokiri Village. The children mobbed us. We were led to Mida's home. The bounty of the forest was spread on the table.

We ate and walked to my tree house. Marin spread out on the balcony. I barely fit in my old bed. I mentioned, "I'm going to the sacred realm tonight. You're welcome to join me."

Marin didn't answer. I woke by the stream. Sef sat up beside me. After an hour, a white clothed figure approached. Marin hesitated. I called, "It's alright. He's a friend, too."

Sef smiled. "I'm a little more than that, Linore."

Marin noted, "You're a knight."

Sef glared at Marin. He succeeded in appearing intimidating at a lower elevation. "I was. Have we met, boy?"

I put a hand on Sef's arm. "Easy, father. This is Marin. He's the one I told you about earlier. Marin, this is my father. He is a spirit from the war. In life, he was the hylian knight Sef."

Marin took a step back. "You're him? My parents told me about your legendary feats. They never knew what happened to you. Everyone assumed you were assassinated by those gerudo barb-"

Marin abruptly cut himself off when he finally noticed my frantic cues to shut up. Sef's glare darkened. I felt anger roll off him in waves. "The only thing that killed me was fealty to the crown. Lower your hood, boy."

"Father, he didn't mean anything by it. He's too young to remember the war."

Sef's stride was confident. Marin was cowering nearly as much as he had in the gerudo amphitheater. Sef pushed back Marin's hood. Marin squeezed his eyes shut. Sef's fist shook. I moved fast. Sef stayed his hand.

"Do not touch him, Sef," I said. My arms were wide while I sheltered Marin. "Do not let the war consume you again."

Sef took a deep breath and stepped back. "You, boy, what's your real name?" Marin didn't answer. Sef shook his head. "Never mind. Your silence confirms it. Get out. The memories of your father turn my stomach when I look at you."

Marin turned away. There was pain in his voice when he whispered, "It was a mistake to come here."

He tried to walk away, but I grabbed his wrist and drug him after Sef. Sef glared at me. "Linore, do not defy me."

I returned his glare. "Marin is staying. He's important and needs your training as much as I do. You will teach him."

Sef's nostrils flared and his jaw clenched. "No. I forbid it."

"You forbid it?" My vision darkened. The wind picked up. I asked, "Where do you think we are? This is my sacred place. I decide who is welcome to stay." Sef's glare intensified beyond anything I'd seen from him before. I drew my sword. "Fight me, I dare you. See if I'm serious."

Sef balled a fist. I pushed Marin to the ground and flipped backwards. Sef punched air. I ducked his follow-up and drew the megaton hammer. I swung, twisting my hips.

Sef flew sideways with the blow. He picked himself up. I circled, twirling the hammer in my grip. He kicked. I rolled with the hit. Sef turned to Marin. I came to my feet and chucked the hammer overhead with both hands. Sef turned back as I gave a battlecry and tackled him.

Sef caught my wrists. I struggled and screamed. He chuckled to himself as I kicked and flailed. His dark mood was dampened by my childish antics. "Alright, Linore. You've made your point. I'll train him."

It became our routine. While I trained with Fi during the day, Marin drilled himself. I frequently caught him watching and memorizing my movements. Most nights, we fell asleep in the temple. Then we would train with my father.

Sef didn't go easy on him despite the fact that I'd been working at it longer. If anything, Sef pushed Marin harder for it. After a few weeks, Marin was close to my level of competence, but he had yet to use the techniques in combat. His confidence was returning.

When we paused for water, I motioned Sef back and took my stance. Marin glanced between me and my father. "What are you doing?"

I smiled. "Spar with me. Try to use what you've been taught here." Marin hesitated. I reassured, "I'm trying to help you. This is for our mutual benefit."

Sef folded his arms and leaned on a tree. "She's got a point. You need to be combat ready. Drills will only do so much without the threat of death."

"She's going to kill me?"

I shot my father a look. "You are not helping." Sef raised his hands in defeat. I turned back to Marin. "We're just going to work slow and try to hit each other. We won't even use swords. Sticks will suffice. And if I whack you enough times, you might even learn to block me."

Marin grinned in challenge and picked up a stick at a run. I backed up and disarmed him. I spun and brandished the stick with a flourish. Marin shot me an awed look. Sef laughed. "You shouldn't let her goad you like that."

Marin huffed out an exasperated breath. "You're more annoying than she is."

I tossed his stick back to him and picked up my own. It was thinner and shorter. "You should slow down and assess your target. Let them attack first if possible or when you don't get the drop on them."

I led by example. My stick never landed as Marin blocked. Then he parried. His stick hit my stomach. I smiled. "Good. Again."

We trained like that for several hours. He was learning much quicker this way. We were both covered in bruises by the end of the night.

The next morning, Marin was cooking breakfast when I woke up. I sat beside him. He offered me a smile. I returned it and snagged a toasted nut from the embers. Marin dished up our humble meal. We shared conversation while we ate.

He was coming a long way. Our training was helping his confidence and physique. But he wasn't going to be his best without a little something more. I grabbed my bow and called, "Follow me." The wolves sat up and tagged along. "Have you ridden horses alone?"

Marin looked at me like I was an idiot. "Of course."

I steadied Epona. "You'll be riding her, but she's not like any horse you'll have ridden before."

"What about you?" I scratched Genesus behind the ears and climbed on his back. Marin's jaw dropped. "You are terrifying, Link."

I pointed my chin to Epona. "Go on, then. We're going hunting."

Epona shifted beneath him. I could tell she wasn't happy, but I didn't think she'd toss him. Terminus took rear guard and I took point. Genesus's powerful muscles rolled beneath me. I gripped with my knees. My bow was at the ready.

After an hour, Genesus slowed to a halt. The wolves sniffed and picked up a trail. We picked our way through the underbrush. Another half hour later, I saw what they had scented. A trio of woodland deer ate in a clearing. I pointed them out to Marin.

Terminus crept around the right side. I slid off Genesus and he stalked left. When we had the deer surrounded, I chose my target. I crouched and lifted the bow. My arrow sunk into the smallest animal. As soon as my arrow found its mark, the wolves pounced. The other deer never stood a chance.

I sprinted forward to finish my kill. The deer's thrashing stopped and I sat back to give a prayer of thanks to the goddesses. Marin knelt beside me and put a hand on the animal. "That was incredible."

I lifted my chin. "It was necessary. The wolves needed to hunt and we need the meat to keep our stamina. You've already run out of excess body fat. Your body would start destroying itself without suitable protein."

Marin looked down at himself. I used the arrowhead to start cleaning my kill. Marin held out a knife. I took it and we worked together while the wolves feasted. When the meat was finally prepared, I sat back. "We'll spend the night out here. The wolves will have gorged themselves. I don't want to make them run on full stomachs."

Marin eyed the forest in the dying light. "Is it safe?"

"Do you doubt yourself?" Marin's eyes darted to mine. I patted his arm. "I would not have brought you here if I thought you couldn't handle whatever the forest will throw at us."

Marin swallowed. "We should make camp."

I nodded and we set to work. The perpetual summer was warm, but we still lit a fire to keep predators at bay. When we settled down for the night, Marin watched the embers. I sang Sario's song and dimmed the fire. Fairies fiew to my voice.

Marin looked around in wonder. I smiled as they landed on his shoulders and in his hair. He smiled at me, a genuine pure smile. His sense of childlike wonder, something he had rarely gotten to experience, had resurfaced. A wolf howled in the distance and the fairies lifted into the night sky. I smiled and fed the fire another log.

"Thank you, Link."

I glanced across the flames. "You're welcome."

Marin scooted closer around the campfire. "Truly. I'm glad we've spent this time together. Everything you've shown me... I can't express myself."

I reached for his hand and laid back in the grass. "The forest has that effect. I long for this place, my home, whenever I leave."

Marin leaned on his hand on his side. "But don't you get lonely?"

I shook my head. "Sario worried when I was young because I never spoke. He took care of me, him and the spirits of the temple. The wolves protected me from the creatures the men of Hyrule turned into. Anyway, he didn't realize I was always listening. I learned to hear what the forest had to say. It may seem like I am alone here, but I'm surrounded by more than I could ever imagine elsewhere. Here, I'm closer to the goddesses."

Marin leaned back and looked at the stars. "That's poetic. You certainly see more stars than I ever could in Castle Town."

I yawned. "Spend enough time here, and you'll lose yourself. You may never want to leave."

Marin gave a half smile to me. "Goodnight, Link."

"Night, Marin."

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