A/N: Hello all! Now I'm hoping to make miracles with this, it's been about five minutes since I put chapter 24 up, and 25 doesn't need all that much editing. Here's to finishing chapter 25 before I have to go to bed!

Revised as of 13/04/14

Chapter 25: Venom

For those of you who've never had an arrow in their body before, it hurts. It burns. Putting it delicately. My nerves were screaming live-wires, and it was another fiery burst of pain whenever I so much as twitched. On top of my whole head feeling fuzzy, this was a truly horrible experience.

"Rose, these are just scratches. You've been shot. Renado is fixing you up first."

I was currently in a circling argument with Link. He was being stubborn because he and I both knew that an arrow wound in the stomach was more serious than a few half-centimetre deep claw scratches. I was just being stubborn because I hated stitches.

This I voiced to Link.

"I know that," I huffed, flushing beet-red. "I just... I hate stitches." I mumbled. Link chuckled weakly. Upon his, Renado's, Telma's, and Roran's orders, I was on my bed, while Link was on the stool beside me. Had I not been in so much pain, I'd have been embarrassed at the fact that halfway up the stairs my legs ceased working properly, and Link had needed to carry me up the rest of the way. Embarrassment could come later.

"You got shot in the arm, why do I get the special treatment?" I muttered.

"I wouldn't call this special treatment. Special treatment would be relaxing in Castle Town with your family -or staying here with your friends- while I went off to get the Fused Shadows."

"True." I agreed. "Don't hold your breath expecting me to say I'm ditching you." I added mock-sternly. I was surprised I was able to hold up the conversation at all, actually. My head was foggy, and I felt almost completely numb, other than where the arrow was. That was still on fire.

Then, our conversation ended when Renado came in, with some strange-looking tools, as well as what he'd need to stitch the wound. I inwardly groaned. I was not looking forward to this.

Link stood up to leave the room on Renado's recommendation, but I quickly moved to grab his hand. I wanted him to stay, that must have reflected in my eyes because after a shared look with the shaman Link took his seat beside the bed again.

In that moment I felt like a child, before I justified my fear of what was about to happen by reminding myself they didn't have anything to numb the pain in Hyrule like they did on Earth. Renado explained to me the strange tools he had were to remove the arrowhead and what was left of the shaft, though I only half paid attention. I was more focused on Link's hand and the patterns in the ceiling, anything to get my mind off of what was about to happen.

A bunched up cloth was brought to my mouth, to bite down on he'd said. I gave a little nod, and the shaman inserted the tool.

In a word; agony. Even with the fog and numbness, it was excruciating. My hand squeezed Link's so tight it had to hurt, my teeth biting down on the cloth until my jaw ached. I felt a few tears slip from my eyes at the pain, before it lessened dramatically, and the haze returned. Renado said something, but I couldn't make it out. Not quite. Whatever it was had Link looking scared.

My vision began to blur, but I vaguely saw Renado rush to a wall cabinet and grab a bottle with a strange greenish purple -seriously, it looked green, and purple- liquid in it. I remember I opened my mouth, and tasted something nasty, with the consistency of slime. I wanted to gag, but something forced me to swallow. Then I lost consciousness.

Minutes Later...

"I'm gonna kill her!" Carmen half-raged, half-cried. Carmen had gone to check on her friend a few minutes earlier, only to find her passed out while Renado worked, looking horribly pale. After demanding an answer from the Shaman, the girl all but ran into hers and Bethany's room to rage.

"Calm down, Carmen. For one, killing her is counterproductive to worrying about her. For two, Rose'll be fine." Bethany tried to reassure her younger friend.

"If she lasts the night, in case you missed that part!" Carmen snapped. Ilia heard the two bicker quietly from the doorway of the next room over, where Ralis was resting. The amnesiac girl was insistent on keeping an eye on him until she was sure he'd be okay.

"Give her a break, Carmen. After everything she and Link have been through, she deserves a break." Bethany said, a little quieter.

"What do you mean 'everything they've been through'?" Ilia asked, taking a few backwards steps into the doorframe. The other girls shared a look.

"Well, we don't know the exact details of that. We've been here in the village for most of it. Well, she wasn't." Carmen answered, pointing to Bethany, who sighed exasperatedly.

"I wasn't there for most of it. Just the forest, and the mines." she corrected.

"Which would constitute 'Most' at this point." Carmen retorted. Bethany rolled her eyes, before looking back to Ilia. There was a minute-long silence as she thought on what to say.

"I think.. the best person to ask about that, would be Link. Or Rose, but she's..well.." Bethany trailed off. "Because they've been through the whole thing together." she finished.

Ilia nodded, but returned to tending to Ralis. Not long after, maybe ten minutes, Renado emerged from the room where Rose was now resting.

Earlier...

At Renado's insistence, Link left Rose's room fraught with worry. The man had said he needed space to work, that he'd inform Link if anything changed. It wasn't nearly enough to reassure him, but it got him out of the room.

The kids were downstairs with Aren and Twill, all of them looking curious, worried, or scared. Telma was leaned up against the wall while Roran paced. Both were tense, and both looked up to Link when he came into view. They were obviously expecting a report of some kind.

"It looks like Ralis will be okay. Rose... Renado's working on Rose right now." It wasn't a lie, but he was hoping it would be lost on them that he didn't say whether or not Rose would be alright.

Venom. Of all the things that could have happened, that the arrowhead had to be laced with, it had to be deadly venom.

"Link..." Colin slowly approached his brother-figure. "I went to talk to Ilia, but.. she didn't remember me. Is she okay?" On top of Rose's issue, there was also the fact that his closest friend no longer remembered him. With a resigned sigh, Link tried to explain..

"Ilia doesn't remember much of anything right now, Colin. I'm sure it'll come back to her, with time." The words seemed to reassure the younger boy, who went to rejoin Aren and the other kids. They were preparing to go back to the sanctuary, where they'd been sleeping until Telma, Roran, Rose, Link and Ilia had arrived with Ralis. Luda was staying to tend to Ralis while Renado worked on Rose. Soon, the only three on the motel's ground-floor were Roran, Telma and Link.

Long minutes passed in silence, and more than once

"Those skills of yours... Any chance you're of the mind to put them to use for Hyrule?" Telma's voice cut through the silence. Surprised, the hero looked back to the barmaid.

"Well... yeah. Why do you ask?" he asked. Telma sighed, almost a sad sound.

"What hope there is in our kingdom is frail and dying...but there's still a group trying to do what it can. And I'm a member of that group." she answered, stepping forward and sticking out her hand. "Call me Telma."

"Link." the hero replied as he shook the woman's hand. She smiled warmly.

"Oh, I already know your name, honey. Those kids around here couldn't stop talking about you. They remind me of Rose when she was that age.." Telma sighed, leaning against the railing beside Link. "I may just stay here a bit longer. I'm still worried about those girls, and... Well, never mind about the rest." Link watched Telma look to the upstairs almost unconsciously. Then she seemingly came back to reality, coming up and pointing a stern finger in Link's face.

"Link, I want to see you again at my bar, you hear me? The bar is actually a kind of safe house for my friends. There's a passageway that leads to the castle from in there, as well. If you ever need something, stop by, I'll be waiting for you and Rose."

Right about now, Renado appeared at the top of the stairs. His descent drew the attention of the three hylians on the ground floor, waiting for another report.

"The Zora boy.. he has passed through the worst of his illness. As long as he rests, he should recover in due time." he looked directly at Link. "Do you know the fate of his mother?" Link's face now held a saddened expression. "Her welfare consumes him. Luda tells me he has been mumbling deliriously about her almost constantly..." Then the shaman noticed his grieved expression "...I can see the knowledge troubles you. It must be an awful memory."

"And... what about Rose?" Telma asked concernedly. Renado sighed.

"The arrow was laced with a rare type of plant venom," he began.

"But, she'll be okay, right?" Carmen asked from above them, peeking over the railing of the loft. The three looked to the worried teen. Link wanted to ask the same question.

"I... do not know. I gave her an antidote of sorts, but we will know for sure if she lasts through the night." the shaman said grimly. Link looked forlorn as he turned away from the man before him. The thought that the one person that understood what he was going through, other than Midna, could possibly die, was painful beyond reason. He knew, under normal circumstances, he probably wouldn't feel as strongly, but this was Rose, who'd stuck through it since day one, when she had every right to leave whenever she wanted to.

And now, that same unorthodox girl that he'd first met in Ordon merely admiring a rupee, that fought like a warrior, saved not only his life but that of the village children, was now unconscious upstairs fighting for her life. The thought that she wouldn't wake was unbearable.

"Is there anything you can do?" Link asked, his voice as calm as he could make it. Renado shook his head.

"There isn't anything any of us can do, other than be here for her while she sleeps. Even with the antidote, I do not know how the poison will affect her." he answered. Link planned to do that. With Roran following close behind, Link returned to the upstairs bedroom where his friend slept. Carmen and Bethany had beat them there, it appeared, and the younger of the two girls was already falling asleep.

It wasn't so surprising, considering the villagers had all been asleep when they'd arrived. And from the way the children constantly begged for Carmen and Bethany to play with them, they had to be tired.

Roran sat at the foot of the bed, beside a dozing Bethany. Carmen was situated on the left side of the bed. Link simply re-took his seat he'd been in earlier when Renado was removing the arrow from Rose's body.

He began to mull over the events of the day in his mind. From his encounter with the Light Spirit Lanayru all the way to seeing Ilia again, all was well. Mostly, he amended, remembering Lanayru showing Rose something that sent her into a rage.

A small smile appeared on his face when he recalled Rose's reaction to seeing her mother and brother. It was a stark contrast to her mood earlier that morning.

It seemed that everything had been going well, until they actually left for Kakariko. Ilia was well, even if she lacked her memories, they all had a plan, and he was honoring the Zora Queen's final wish to save her son. Most of the crossing was a blur of sword-clashes and the sound of arrows whistling through the air. The Bublin King. Roran shouting, "Rose, look out!", and a blue glow, followed by a bright flash and a sound akin to the shattering of a crystal. A wordless cry of pain. Link remembered looking back, and seeing Rose's horrified expression, and the arrow protruding from her lower abdomen.

Still, stubbornly, she'd continued to fight, though her movements had been sluggish, and she seemed dazed, but in pain. He remembered a familiar roar, and being thrown off Epona. He remembered being pinned, hearing Rose call his name in fear, and a second animal-like roar, before he was free, and the creature that had pinned him was engulfed in flames.

He could clearly see Rose had been fatigued, and seemed out of sorts, moreso than usual, though when he asked if she was okay, she downplayed her obvious anguish, insisting Renado take care of the Zora Prince first.

"And look where that got you..." he murmured. He yawned, as his body made its exhaustion known. He felt his eyelids growing heavier and heavier, until he could hold them open no more, and drifted off to sleep whilst leaning against the wall. His hand was holding Rose's again.

I ran, through the empty blackness around me. Something was chasing me, gaining on me, and I had to run from it, as fast as I could. As fast as I ran, though, as large as my stride, it was to no avail. The evil presence pursuing me grew ever closer. I felt myself stumble and fall. The evil surrounded me, spinning like a tornado around me though never touching. Through the black shroud, five pairs of glowing, evil eyes stared back at me. Demonic fangs appeared from the blackness, and the creatures leapt forward. I screamed in fear, raising my arms to defend myself. Where were my weapons?! Then suddenly my attackers disappeared into the black fog.

Suddenly it changed.

The black fog was no longer that, so much as a liquid, and the glaring eyes had disappeared. I felt like the black shroud was water, now. I could see a bright light above me, and I moved towards it, desperate for my head to break the surface of the water, so I could breathe again. Had to move, had to breathe.

"You can fight this, Rose."

"Come back, wake up, we need you!"

"Our mother can't lose you again."

These familiar voices were pulling me deeper into the murky water, and I struggled. I wanted to go up, but the voices were calling me deeper into the black, and I sunk. I could no longer see the sun, or any light. Just empty blackness again.

"And look where that got you..."

I jumped slightly at the familiar, soft voice, and tried to find its source; to my left. I eagerly began running towards the voice's origin point, but it was like I was running in place. I could feel the warmer, kinder presence that belonged to the voice, and it was right out of my reach.

But I wanted it! I wanted to embrace the warmth, kindness, and -dare I say love?- that the presence emanated. I was so close, and so far. I gave up on running with a huff, sitting on the floor dejectedly. The comforting presence seemed to be taunting me, as I was just out of its reach, yet its emotions were promising, loving even.

'Yeah yeah, rub it in my face why don't ya...' I thought towards the presence, laying on my back. I wondered where I was, and who the familiar presence was. What had I been doing, before I was in this empty void? I couldn't remember. Did I remember who I'd been with? ...No. I just remembered blonde hair, and a green tunic. And fire. Why couldn't I remember? I wanted to, and it just wasn't coming. As unmeasurable time passed, I began to feel several other less-prominent presences. Two on my right, one seemingly right in front of me. They were all worried, hopeful, and sad.

I wished I could speak to them, assure them that I was alright. But I couldn't find my voice, I couldn't speak.

More time passed, and he fainter presences eventually faded into the blackness. This made me sad. I wanted them to come back. I still had the closer, brighter one. It seemed irritated. I wondered if the other ones had tried to make it leave as well. I was glad it didn't. I'd miss it, then.

I slapped my hand to my face as I realized just how crazy that sounded in my head.

"Rose, you're losing it.." I muttered to myself. Then I was surprised; I could speak again! But then I got less pleasant news; the presence was fading. I scrambled to my feet, trying to chase it, but I was still running on the spot. Eventually I couldn't feel it anymore at all. The darkness felt cold again, and empty.

With a depressed sigh, I sank back to the ground again. My limbs felt heavy and sluggish, and there was an ever-strengthening, aching pain in my lower abdomen. More time passed, and I found that I didn't have a concept of time, so I couldn't keep track of any of it. For all I knew, it could have been days, or only a few seconds.

If it was even possible, it began to get darker. Soon, I couldn't even see myself, but I began to hear more voices.

"Mr. Renado, when will Rose wake up?"

I knew that voice. But... who was it? I struggled to remember.

"I do not know, Colin."

"Oh. I hope it's soon..."

"She'd better wake up." a female voice muttered. I knew that voice well, but I couldn't put a name, nor a face to the voice.

"Hey, where'd Link go? I thought he was here with Rose."

Link? Who was Link? Was it that presence I'd first felt? Somehow, it seemed fitting, as did the image I had in my head as the name was spoken; a young man, maybe seventeen, with dirty blonde hair. He wore a green tunic, white pants, brown boots, and a strange green hat that looked like a wind-sock. I inwardly laughed at the thought. The voices sounded clearer, and closer now.

"I put a salve on the arrow wound, father, not very long ago. Do you suppose the antidote worked as well?" a young voice asked.

Antidote? Arrow wound? What on Farore's green earth was I doing? Wait.. Farore? Right, one of the three goddesses. Goddesses... Goddess chosen hero.. Link. I frowned as I remembered what happened. I had... been bringing someone to Kakariko... And... and I'd been shot. The arrow.. was poisoned? Yeah, it was poisoned. I remembered Renado removing the arrow, then...passing out.

Now, it was time for me to wake up.

I felt my eyes opening, but everything looked like a big blurry blob of colours.

"Father! Rose is waking up!" I heard somebody -...Luda? Yes, Luda- exclaim surprisedly. At this, I heard more than one set of rushed footsteps.

"Hold, you two, do not crowd her." Renado murmured. The footsteps receded, all but one, and my eyes were slowly focusing. I was slowly seeing the familiar form of the Kakariko Shaman in front of me, his daughter behind him, and behind her were Carmen and Bethany.

I slowly morphed my face into a smile.

"Hey." I greeted. My voice was scratchy, and my throat was dry, so my greeting was barely more than a whisper.

"Rose, are you feeling any better?" Renado asked. That was kind of a dumb question, in my opinion. I mean.. I'd just woken up from what I was assuming was a poison-induced sleep. I mentally shrugged it off.

"Considering the circumstances... pretty okay." I said, thinking through my answer, before nodding my head at him. "I have a question, though. What was it on that arrowhead that..." I let the sentence hang. They'd know what I was talking about.

"Venom from a rare type of Baba Serpent, thought extinct ages ago." Renado answered. I shuddered.

"One more reason to hate those things.." I muttered. I looked to Renado again. "Am I allowed to get up?" I asked. Renado nodded, though he handed me a fresh set of clothes I assumed were from Twill. I looked down at myself under the blanket and understood why; my red shirt was blood stained, torn, and it was filthy. He ushered everybody else out so I could change, and I did so with care, wincing as even the slightest twist of my torso pulled at the stitches. Well, that certainly ruled out stretching. I exited the room when I finished, feeling slightly more refreshed. I saw Bethany and Carmen standing at the end of the hall. They beckoned me over, but I was hesitant. Usually I ended up getting smacked whenever I did something to scare either of them.

"What?" I whispered. My throat was still really, really dry.

"Come here!" they whisper-yelled. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.

"Why?"

"Just come here." Carmen ordered. Then I knew what was going on.

"No, you're gonna hit me." I said. What? We're fifteen and fourteen years old, who says we'll always be mature? They sighed and I gave in, walking up to them. As soon as I reached them, I was being crushed in the middle of a group hug, though they were being careful of the stitches. Then there was identical smacks as both of them lightly smacked me upside the head.

"Ow!" I exclaimed quietly. Then they let me go, snickering a little.

"Well, we should let you be on your way. After all, we weren't the only ones worried about you." Bethany said, giving me a look. I knew who she was talking about.

"I'll..." I trailed off, tiptoeing down the stairs. Telma was seemingly lost in her thoughts, and Roran was pacing worriedly. Wow, did I really have that big of an effect on him? I mean, he'd only met me the day before, or...however long ago it was.

"Am I forgiven?" I asked. Both Telma and Roran instantly turned, happily surprised to see me there.

"For what, honey?" Telma asked as she enveloped me in a hug. I laughed as I hugged her back, still mindful of the stitches.

"For scaring the hell out of you?" I suggested. She gave a hearty laugh, and I heard the door open. I looked over, and a wide grin formed on my face. It was Link.

A/N: Thirteen minutes late, but I can live with that knowing that I've made more progress today than I did all in the month of march. G'night!