A/N: Not much to do at work so I focus in writing (I'm a trainer in a call center, so most of the time I'm just sitting idle with nothing to do xD).

Koolkat222, I replied to you via PM; however I would like to let everyone know as well that I doubt there will be a ZeLink in this story :(... sorry about that. If you've noticed, ever since the "LAKE TOWN" chapter I've been slowly developing a Link/Oreana, which may or may not be fulfilled, as also Tara seemes to be having some feelings as well, but who knows? (NO, NO SPOILERS FOR YA'LL xD); however, Zelda IS going to be of more involved in the story very soon.

Thanks again for all of your support!

Link was sitting by his father's grave looking at the tombstone absentmindedly. He had heard the story of the attack on the village from Mr. Regol, and he had then just walked out of Tara's house and found his way alone to the clearing where graveyard was located. He had now been there for a few minutes, gazing at the polished stone that now marked the resting place of the man who had raised him, taught him to use as word and a slingshot, and had raised him to be the man he now was. A tear rolled down his cheek, as he felt anger boiling inside of him; he could feel the desire to slay the man who had taken his father's life and kidnapped his best friend screaming to be released.

He looked down at his hand as he closed a fist and was surprised to see that his skin was getting darker, like if he had rubbed it in ashes. He raised both hands and noticed that it was happening to all his body. He closed his eyes and breathed fast, trying hard to fight away whatever was happening to him; when he opened his eyes, he was back to normal. He didn't hear Oreana approaching until she sat next to him and held his arm.

"Link…?" she said, but he didn't respond or look at her so she continued, "Link, I'm so sorry."

He kept looking at the tombstone for a few seconds and then looked at her. She had a sad expression on her face and was dressed in a sleeveless dress that belonged to Tara's mother and had her blonde hair tied up in a ponytail. He placed one of his hands in the one she had on his arm and she gripped it.

"I'll be fine," he said in a low voice. "I just… I just wish I had been here. I wish I had never left home."

"I know," she replied, "but you can't escape destiny. The Gods lay out our road and it is our duty to follow it."

"I can't do this," replied Link. "It's too heavy a burden."

"Taglo and I will be with you 'till the end," she said with a faint smile, cupping his hand with hers.

Link smiled back and looked at her. She had her green eyes locked onto Link's. They kept staring at each other for a while, their breathings slowly synchronizing with each other's and then, without knowing what was going on, they slowly started to approach as they both closed their eyes. They were less than three inches apart when Link heard Laila's voice calling him from the forest.

"Link, are you here?" she asked, as she fluttered into the clearing. They quickly turned around and Link stood up. Oreana had a bright pink color in her cheeks.

"I'm here," he replied.

"Link," she said. "Mr. Regol wants to see you."

"Thank you Laila," replied Link. He looked at Oreana who was still sitting on the grass, her cheeks still pink. He smiled at her, kissed her forehead and left with Laila.

Link was sitting in front of Mr. Regol, a cup of Faron Chateau in front of him as usual, while his mentor placed a medium sized box in front of him. Link looked at it with curiosity while Mr. Regol smiled.

"Link," he said. "I think this will be handy for the next part of your trip. You tell me that you are now planning to enter the Barrens, so you will need something to protect you better from the foes that you will surely encounter there."

Link stood up and slowly opened the box and his eyes widened in surprise. Inside, there was an elegant chest plate of shiny polished steel, with broad articulated shoulder plates and the emblem of the Royal Family engraved on its chest and painted in red. It was so light that Link couldn't begin to think how it would be strong enough to stop an arrow.

"Link," explained Mr. Regol. "I never told you this, but I used to be a Captain of the Royal Guard, back in my good days. The King himself gifted me with this when I retired. I'm giving it to you, so you can wear it on top of your Hero clothes and show your foes that you still fight for Hyrule."

Link smiled in appreciation while he looked down at the gift he had just been given.

The last couple of days had been eternal for Link, as he had to fully recover from his wounds. Now, he had put his green clothes back on, with its chainmail underneath and the chest plate that Mr. Regol had given him on top. He was climbing back onto Epona while Taglo approached riding his own horse with Oreana behind him, riding a white horse that Mr. Regol had given her.

The two Sheikah had become very popular in town, and now many were waving at the three of them as they gathered at the entrance of the stockade.

"We'll be fine," said Mr. Regol, who was standing beside Link with Mr. Durian.

"I'll come back," said Link, and he turned to look at Mr. Durian, "I'll bring Tara when I do."

The two men nodded and backed away, as the three riders ventured into the forest.

The sun was shining bright above when they came out of the Forest Path. Link could see the columns of black smoke rising all over the land as Taglo stopped next to him.

"This is awful," said Link.

"Garoth must still think that you're dead, so he finally unleashed his armies to ravage this beautiful country," replied Taglo.

"I think I should do this alone," said Link. "The Barrens are…"

"Don't even dream about it," said Oreana as she stopped by Link's other side. "We promised to help you so we will."

Link smiled at her and she returned the smile. Laila fluttered out of his hat and hovered in front of him.

"Link," she said, "I think we should get moving. The entrance to the Barrens is on the other side of Lake Hylia."

Link was about to reply when they saw a new column of smoke forming in the distance.

"What's that?" he asked. Oreana opened her eyes wide.

"Link, in that direction lays a small village founded by Sheikah long ago," she said. "It was hidden for a long time, but now it was said to be a place of retirement for the Sheikah."

"Let's move!" said Link, and the three of them shot forward.

They had been galloping for about fifteen minutes when they met a horde of bokoblins led by a single moblin. Taglo took out one of the bokoblins with the bow while Oreana shot at another with her crossbow. Link slashed with his sword and killed a third one, but the moblin lit a small bomb and tossed it towards him.

"BOMB! LOOK OUT!" yelled Link, as he pulled Epona's reins and turned around.

The blast of the explosion wasn't too great, but it was close enough as to make Epona neigh in fear tossing Link into the ground. He stood up as he saw a bokoblin charging at him and he made a spin attack that ended the creature's rampage. He saw Oreana fall from her horse as a bokoblin pulled her by the skirt of her robe and Taglo aiming the bow, with an explosive arrow stringed, straight at him.

"What the…!?" he yelled, as the arrow flew past him and exploded. Link was tossed forward and felt the shower of moblin remains fall on him.

"Sorry pal," said Taglo, running up to him and helping him to his feet.

"Was that really necessary!?" screamed Link.

"Sorry Link, I'm out of arrows!" explained Taglo.

They both turned around as they heard Oreana scream. She was surrounded by four bokoblins who were now pointing their swords at her. Link started sprinting and got there first, beheading one of the creatures while Taglo got there and disposed of another with one of his swords. Oreana drew Taglo's second sword and slashed it at a third one, while the fourth one ran for his life. Taglo reached for a knife that was hidden under his wrist pad and tossed it at the bokoblin, who fell dead.

They stood there for a few seconds, looking around them as if waiting for another horde to appear. When they were sure that everything was clear, the sheathed their weapons and began salvaging any arrows and bolts for Taglo and Oreana as they could. Also, for Link's surprise, he was able to find a leather bag containing three bombs inside.

"Hey, great loot you got there, Link," said Oreana, standing next to him and winking an eye when he looked up.

"Yes it is," he replied with a smile. "I'm quite sure we will be able to find some use for it."

They looked into each other's eyes for a few seconds and then Oreana leaned and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Thanks again," she said, her cheeks slightly pink, "it's the third time you saved my life."

"No problem," replied Link with a smile. "I thought that you Sheikah were more skilled," he joked.

"Hey!" she replied, nudging him and giggling.

"Thankfully were not as clumsy as her," intervened Taglo reaching them. The three of them laughed for a while. It was good to be able to do so after what they had gone through in the last few days. When they were able to stop, their faces went grim again, as they remembered the smoke they had seen. Taglo spoke again. "We should keep moving. The entrance to the Hidden Village is this way."

They fetched their horses and galloped again, heading towards the column of smoke that was rising into the sky.

Garoth was in the deepest chamber of the Forsaken Fortress standing in front of the black coffin where his Master's body lay. He knew that the day for him to rise again was near, and that the Hero would come to the Fortress to release Eldin from his prison and release Hyrule from the darkness that he had cast upon it. But he was ready, and he would wait.