Link stumbled forwards as blood poured from his stomach.
He had been bested in battle and was making his way back to Hyrule. No Navi. No Master Sword. Just him... And his trusted stead walking alongside him.
Epona was worried about Link. There was nothing the horse could do - As Epona sensed that Link was going to die. There was nothing she, being a horse, could do.
As Link almost collapsed, Epona thrust him onto her back and went forwards. Eventually, the swordmaster and trusted horse got closer to the entrance of Hyrule.
The Forest all around them made Link sick. His lack of blood and his weak movement in his arms meant he couldn't survive for much longer. Maybe 20 minutes... Maybe slightly longer.
Anything was better than this.
Facing Ganon with Zelda. Facing the Skullkid... Anything was better than being forced to die.
"I can't let them down... I must get back..." He slowly spoke. His words ricocheting off of the wooden trees themselves. Bouncing around the Mist that started to pour from the entrance of Hyrule.
As Link arrived with Epona, they looked around - It was quiet.
It was the Lost Woods that they arrived in. Link's birth area. There was a subtle warmth about the Forest that was... Nice.
As Epona noticed someone walking towards them, she neighed as loud as she could - She wanted Link to get the proper help he needed... Even if it was too little too late for him.
The person approached faster, "Epona? Is that you?"
Epona neighed again. It was a girl in Green... Maybe it was the Sage? Saria?
Saria it was. She approached just as Link felt his eyes close, finally. Dropping from Epona and towards the ground.
Saria leapt forwards and caught Link before he hit the ground. His blood entrenched body was almost too much for Saria to cope with.
Her best friend... Her life-long friend... Reduced to this. How!? WHY!?
Saria stroked Link's head as Link's breath came in short sharp clouds of pure air.
"Am I... Am I home?" Link asked weakly.
Link rose his arms and tried to grasp Saria's hands, she grasped his and squeezed them reassuringly.
Saria offered the best smile she could. This look on Link made her heartbroken. He had been through literally hell and back so many times for all of them... And yet... Here he was - Dying.
"Yeah. You're home. We're friends forever, Link. Don't you ever forget that, please."
Link looked up and opened his left eye, catching sight of Saria and smiled as best he could; "If you see the Princess... Tell her... I'm so, so sorry-" Before he could finish his words, however, his eye closed and his hands went limp.
Saria let several tears go.
The Hero of Time.
Her best friend.
Was dead.