Hey, I'm back and with a name change, too! I must sincerely apologize for the outstanding long update. I had writer's block for the longest time. I had to decide between about ten different ways to do this chapter and by the time I did I was caught up in work as well as playing my new Playstation 2. By the time I got over my block and found time to write, I discovered that I had lost my gameboy and therefore my reference material. (Sigh) Oh the many obstacles we face. Anyway, now I got things straightened out so hopefully the next chapter won't be nearly so long.
To Dairokkan: Thank-you for your continuous reviews and putting up with my slow progress. I hope you continue to enjoy my fic.
To Sensei of Slipknot: Hey you got a name change, too! Awesome. Apology accepted, I guess and you can put away your shield cause I had the LOZ collection before you did. Thanks for the review and I appreciate your support. Keep it real, man!
To Tim: Yay! A new reader! Welcome to my fic! I'm glad you like my story. Thanks for the approval of Link's attitude. It's kinda of hard since no one really knows what he's like since he doesn't ever talk in the games. I like long chapters to cause I hate waiting a long time for a little piece, so I try to write big chapters, though after this one I'm thinking of breaking some of them into smaller parts. Yay a Link pairing vote! Thanks a million! I'm not sure if I'm one to be affected by puppy dog eyes, but we'll see. Oh and if you're wandering about the magic thing, read this chapter!
To OnikiDD: Thanks for your review. I'm glad you are enjoying my fanfic! I don't really know if you can call Link glorified, after all, he's lived longer than anyone his bodily age and he's already taken out Ganondorf and Majora's Mask so he has to be really strong. I am trying to have him reserve his strength until later on but it's a little hard. Anyway I do plan on working the masks of Termina in later on so keep reading to find out. Thanks again for the review and sorry for the late update.
To Phoenixfire1389: Yeah it was kind of a boring chapter for LOZ fans but this one is a lot better. Thanks for your review and an even bigger thank-you for your Link pairing vote! Thanks for your continuous reviews!
To The Sticken One: Nope SC3, is solely playstation, but that's ok cause now I have one! Yay! I'm very happy to hear you like my story and I plan on making it better with every chapter!
To Didactylos: Haha! I have absolutely no intention of allowing this fic to bite the dust so you can look forward to more!
That's all the reviews this time around. Hopefully I'll get more with this chapter.
So far the votes for Link Pairings rank:
Lyn: 3
Florina: 1
We also have a vote for a Link/Zelda, but I don't think that's going to happen.
Okay, now that the intro stuff is taken care of, I proudly present…
Whom She Found
Chapter 6:
The Legion Forms
Lyndis rose from her slumber early the next day andsat up with a light yawn. She looked over at Link's bedroll to find it empty and rolled up; smiling to herself she left the tent. Lyn sighed deeply as she stretched to relieve her stiff muscles. The sun's morning rays felt good against her skin and she smiled at the prospect of a fine day. She looked around to see Kent stoking the fire and frying some eggs.
"Good morning milady." Kent called when he noticed his lady liege and offered her some breakfast.
"Good morning," Lyn replied, taking the eggs gratefully. "Where's Link and Sain."
"Sain is still asleep," Kent sighed. "And Sir Link went that way." Kent motioned towards the trees.
"He was already awake by the time I got up and left after he acknowledged my presence."
"Thank-you." Lyn said as she finished her meal and walked in the direction Kent indicated.
She didn't have to walk far before she heard the unmistakable sound of music drifting through the leaves. Laughing lightly to herself she followed the tune to its source and found Link sitting in a tree and playing on his ocarina. It was a nice tune that lifted her spirits and filled her with energy as well as giving her a great urge to dance. It reminded her of the hidden beauty and mystery of a great and ancient forest. Lyn was more than slightly saddened when Link stopped playing and waved at her.
"Morning, Lyn!" he said.
"Good morning, Link!" she smiled.
Link put his ocarina away before leaning off the bough off the tree. He swung from his knees to gather momentum and back flipped once before landing lightly on his feet.
"Show off." Lyn smirked.
Link grinned. "I spent a lot of time as a kid climbing trees."
"Oh? Well, I guess a lot of people go through a tree climbing stage at some point in their childhood."
"That was a wonderful song you played." Lyn added.
"Thanks," Link replied. "My friend Saria taught me how to play that song a long time ago."
"You miss your home, don't you?"
Link smiled lightly and nodded. "To tell you the truth, Lyn. I've been away from Hyrule for long periods of time a lot in my life. But each time I was able to come back. This time it's different. This is the first time that I may not have the possibility of returning. That is what truly worries me."
Lyn looked at him, regarding him for a moment in silence.
"So," he continued. "Are you ready for practice?"
"Huh?" Lyn blinked in surprise. "Oh, yes of course." She drew her sword.
Link looked at her curiously.
"What's wrong?" Lyn asked.
"Why aren't you using the Mani Katti?" Link indicated the spirit sword at her waist.
"Uhh…well...it still feels strange. I just can't get over the feeling that I'm not worthy of this sword. I'm nothing special, so why would the Mani Katti be meant for my hands?"
Link nodded understandably. "I see. If that is how you feel then I won't try to convince you otherwise. You should draw the Mani Katti when you feel ready."
Link reached for his own sword but paused as he thought for a moment. "Hmmm."
"What's wrong?" Lyn asked.
"Well…" He replied. "Since you now have two swords, perhaps you should learn to wield both at once."
"Fight with two swords?" Lyn asked incredulous.
"Why not? It could open new doors in your fighting style."
"Uh…alright, but I don't feel ready to draw the Mani Katti yet and wouldn't that be dangerous since I've never tried before?"
Link chuckled lightly. "Don't worry; I've already taken that into consideration. What did you use when you first started learning swordsmanship?"
Lyn blinked. "We used wooden training swords."
"Exactly!" Link reached into his item pouch and pulled out four wooden swords. "I've been thinking for awhile about asking you if you wanted to try fighting with two swords so I made these in case you said yes."
He tossed Lyn two of the wooden weapons. Lyn sheathed her blade and picked up the two training swords.
"Say Link? I've been meaning to ask you something."
Link grinned. "You want to know how I pack all the stuff I do in this little thing, right?" he asked patting his trusty belt pouch.
Lyn nodded.
"I thought so; you're not the first to ask. To put it simply, it's magic. It was a gift given to me when I was very young. I can put just about anything into it."
"Well then, shall we begin?" Link challenged.
Lyn grinned. "Let's go!" She leapt towards him.
An hour later…
Lyn leaned back against a tree, panting heavily and nursing several bruises.
"Not bad for your first time, Lyn." Link said impressed. He retrieved the wooden swords and put them back in his pouch. "I'm sorry if I was a bit hard on you."
Lyn shook her head. "No, it's alright. I can't expect to get stronger with you going easy on me. If I let my training break me then I have no right to hold a sword."
"Well said." Link offered her a hand. She took it and rose to her feet. "The others are probably waiting for us, we should head back."
Lyn nodded and the two of them headed back to camp. They arrived just in time to see Kent dousing the fire and Sain strapping the last tent onto his horse. When Sain saw them he was shocked.
"OH SWEET ST. ELIMINE!" He dashed up to Lyn. "O my beauteous lady liege, what has happened to you that your radiance has been marred by these unholy blemishes!"
Lyn sighed. "It's nothing, Sain. I was training with Link and…"
"WHAT!" Sain roared. "These terrible discolorations were caused by this man here! BLASHPHEMY! I CANNOT ALLOW THIS! SUCH ACTION CAN NOT GO UNPUNISHED! ENGUA…!"
SMACK
"SAIN!" Lyn slapped him across the face.
Sain turned to her.
"Yes, my lovely lady liege?" He smiled amiably despite the red mark on his cheek.
"Will you stop!" She yelled. "I'm fine! Now leave Link alone!"
"Ah, of course." Sain bowed his head. "I should have remembered all roses have their thorns."
He went back to his horse as Lyn gave an exasperated sigh while Link grinned and stifled back a laugh.
"Honestly," Lyn shook her head. "He doesn't quit."
"True, milady." Kent walked up to them. "I have tried for years to curb Sain's actions but, well, you can see my success."
Kent shook his head. "We should be on our way; we still have a long ways to go."
Lyn nodded and the four of them set out once again.
They travelled for a few hours, continuing in their journey west to Caelin. To the north they could see the mountain range that separated the Plains of Sacae from the Kingdom of Bern. It had been about ten days since they left Bulgar. Ten days since Lyndis discovered she had a grandfather, ten days since she learned she was heir to the throne of Caelin, ten days since she had realised her very life was an obstacle in a power struggle. Her life would never be the same again, this she knew for certain. She also knew that if it hadn't been for Link, she probably would have died by now even with the aid of the two Lycian knights. She wondered if he would be able to find his way home and if he'd be able to come back if he did.
"Link?" she asked suddenly.
"Yeah?" the Hero of Time replied.
"Who taught you how to fight?"
It was a simple question she had wanted to ask him for a while and it also got the attention of the two knights as well.
Link shrugged and grinned. "Well to tell you the truth, most of my swordplay is self-taught."
Lyn blinked in surprise. "Really? You fight so well, that's hard to believe."
"Indeed." Kent agreed.
"You mean I've been getting beat by a man who taught himself how to fight!" Sain cried.
Link laughed. "That's not entirely true. I said most of my skills are self-taught. I spent the most part of my life fighting with what I had taught myself, but as I travelled I met other people who were better swordsmen then me. They helped me refine, improve, and add on to my battle style as well as teaching me new and powerful techniques. I also met someone who trained me in unarmed combat, as well as a few powerful magic wielders who greatly increased my skill with magic as well as improve on the spells I already knew. It was hard work and a few times I almost died of exhaustion but eventually, I bested them all."
"So you know how to use magic as well? That's incredible!" Lyn was astonished. She had seen that he was a good swordsman, but this was something she would have never guessed. Most people who trained to fight or studied magic either did one or the other. With the exception of fighters using magic imbued weapons, a magic swordsman was unheard of.
"Yeah, well Hyrule is a land rich with magic and many people there possess the ability to use magic, some people have more potential than others of course. But even so only a few with high potential train as sorcerers and such."
"Your land sounds very intriguing, Sir Link." Kent spoke in his usual manner.
Link laughed. "Thanks, Kent! But don't call me "Sir Link", it's just "Link". The "Sir" never really suited me."
"Very well then, Link." Kent nodded.
They carried on in light conversation until Kent announced that there was a town ahead where they could rest and resupply.
"Ah, good." Lyn said. "We could use a good night's rest."
"Yes, indeed." Sain agreed, thinking of the many lovely maidens he would meet at the inn.
However, Link's keen eyes revealed something disheartening.
"No…the town is in ruins."
"What?" Lyn gasped. "Are you serious?"
They increased their pace and soon arrived to find Link's statement to be true. The town was almost completely destroyed. Trees were burned, walls and houses were scorched and crumbling, roofs were caved in, and peoples' belongings were strewn everywhere; the remains of a decimated town. The horrifying sight brought back many memories to Lyndis.
"This place…It's…" Lyn suppressed her tears as she looked around.
Sain rode forward. "The entire area is in ruins. "Why doesn't their marquess do anything to help?"
Lyn shook her head and stared towards a large mountain in the distance. "Taliver Mountain is home to a gang of vicious, ruthless bandits. No marquess holds power here." She turned back to the two knights with a sombre expression. "My village was near here, on the other side of the mountain. My people were attacked. The Taliver bandits came at night. It took only one night. The survivors numbered less than ten, including me." Her sorrowful expression turned to one of anger and rage. "They're soulless beasts. I will never forgive them. Never."
Sain lowered his head. "Lyndis…"
Kent was silent as he pondered this new discovery.
Lyn lifted her head to stare at the sky. "I'm not running away. I will be back…someday." She lowered her head. "I'll be stronger…I will break their swords beneath me like twigs beneath a stallions hooves. I will avenge my people. I'll do everything in my power."
Sain smiled encouragingly. "When the time comes, bring me with you."
Lyn turned to him surprised. "Sain…"
"Don't forget me, either." Kent added.
"Kent…thank-you, both."
Link waited for a second before adding his own voice. "What about me?"
"Oh!" Lyn turned to him. "You, too, Link? But what about finding your way home?"
Link shrugged. "I'll find a way home, but before I leave I'll come back and help you. I'd never forgive myself if I left with that still hanging over your head. I'd never abandon you."
Lyn blinked, surprised and stunned. "I…You're…Thank-you."
She had not expected him to aid her and his reply was even more surprising. She was at a loss for words.
Link smiled and nodded before climbing up a nearby tree that wasn't burned. From there he surveyed their surroundings.
"Hey! There are some buildings over there that are still intact." He leapt down.
Kent turned his horse. "We should see if anyone needs are assistance."
"Yes." Lyn agreed.
They made their way through the ruins in the direction Link indicated. The silence was broken by a panicked scream.
"What the!" Sain looked in the direction of the sound.
"Someone is in trouble! Let's go!" Kent spurred his horse into a gallop followed closely by Sain, Lyn and Link.
They turned around a wall to find two large thugs. One of them was holding a woman's arms behind her back while the other was trying to restrain an irate horse with wings.
"What's this?" Kent reined his horse. "Be on your guard, Lyndis. There seems to be some sort of commotion over there."
Lyn's eyes widened as she stepped in front of Kent and his mount. "That's…That's a pegasus. Could it be…?"
She dashed forward. "Florina!" She called. "Is that you, Florina!"
The woman turned her head towards the voice. "Ah! Lyn!"
The sudden appearance of the Sacaean warrior startled the two bandits enough for both of their captives to escape. The woman named Florina ran towards Lyn. She wore the standard uniform of an Ilian Pegasus Knight including a plain, durable, white dress that came down to her thighs as well as a blue chest plate with matching shoulder plates. A pair of thigh high blueish-purple boots that were buckled at the top adorned her feet and legs. She wore a light blue half glove on her left hand that extended past her elbow and a shorter half glove of the same color of her boots covered her right. On both wrists were matching silver bracelets of simple design but nonetheless attractive. A loose belt hung from her hips and a pair of blue and silver hair rings hung from locks on either side of her head. Completing her attire was a silver chain circlet that held a small blue jewel in the middle of her forehead.
"Florina! What are you doing in a place like this?" Lyn asked her friend.
"Lyn! Is it really you? I…I…" Florina crashed into Lyn's arms, sobbing into her chest.
"Come now, no crying." Lyn embraced her friend.
"I'm sorry." Florina sniffed.
"You are acquaintances?" Kent approached them.
Lyn nodded. "She is my friend. This is Florina, a pegasus knight in training from Ilia."
Kent stared curiously at the girl's nervous expression on her face. Lyn noticed, "She's a little uncomfortable around men." She added.
She let go of her friend. "Tell me Florina, what happened here?"
Florina bit her lip. "Well…um…When I heard that you had left…I decided to follow you. Then I saw this village…I flew down to ask if they had news of you." She looked over her shoulder at the approaching men. "I didn't see these two, and…well…"
Lyn blinked. "Did your pegasus land on them?"
Link and Kent gave surprised expressions while Sain barely held back a laugh. Florina lowered her head.
"Well, I…A little…"
"AHA! You heard her!" One of the bandits accused. Florina jumped behind Lyn.
"She admits her fault! She stepped on my friend and now she's got to pay!"
Lyn stared at him. "Did you apologise, Florina?"
Florina nodded vigorously. "Yes! I told them I was sorry many times over. They just wouldn't listen…" She sniffed as tears began to well up in her eyes.
"Don't cry. It's all right." Lyn smiled at her.
"Lyn…" Florina sniffed again before wiping away her tears.
Lyn then turned her attention to the brigands in front of her.
"Listen, she's obviously sorry. Can't we just let this pass?" She asked. "You don't appear to be injured or anything."
"No chance. The girl goes with us." The larger of the two men stepped forward. He was a large man with greyish-brown hair that was kept back by a very dirty red headband. He looked like he hadn't bathed in weeks and was probably the case. But despite the problem with hygiene, he was a man to be wary of. Powerful muscles allowed him to heft a giant axe with ease. He eyed the beautiful Sacaen woman in front of him. "In fact since she's a friend of yours, then you're as much at fault as she is," he smirked. "You're comin, too."
"You'll have to go through us first." Kent and Sain strode up beside the two girls. Link walked forward and drew his sword and shield.
"Be careful." He said. "We're not alone."
The lead bandit laughed. "Feh! You think to challenge us? We'll crush you!"
He and his companion turned and ran through the ruins.
"Hey! C'mon out boys!" He roared.
At his beckoning bandits from all over made their presence known.
"The men are fair game, but don't put a scratch on the girls!"
Link climbed up a section of a ruined wall to look at what they were up against.
"Hmph, courage in numbers. This may prove difficult." He jumped down. "Everyone ready?"
Lyn nodded and readied her blade. "Yes, we must fight back."
The lavender haired pegasus knight behind her looked at her. "Lyn…I…"
Lyn turned to her. "You're a pegasus knight, aren't you? You can fight, can't you?"
Florina hesitated for a moment before speaking in a surprisingly firm voice. "Yes!"
"Good." Lyn smiled. "Then let's teach these men a lesson, shall we?"
Florina nodded and mounted her pegasus.
"Ok! Let's clear them out of here! Are you ready?"
Everyone voiced their readiness, some, namely Sain, more eager than others.
"Lyn," Link spoke up. "The layout around will make it difficult to fight, so we should be careful."
Lyn nodded. "But the same holds true for our foe, too."
"Agreed." Link grinned. "So let's use that to our advantage."
"Indeed." Kent looked around. "These ruined walls and buildings can provide cover and we could also use them to force enemies to fight in smaller groups thereby making their numbers less of a threat."
Lyn looked at her immediate surroundings so she wouldn't be caught off guard right at the start.
"Say Lyn, there are some houses over there that are still intact. Those two were probably going to raid them when your friend interrupted. We should warn those inside about the impending fight."
"Yes, let's go." She agreed.
"Umm…Lyn…who's that?" Florina asked before she left.
Lyn turned to her. "Oh, I'm sorry Florina. This is Link. He is my new friend and he's been travelling with me. I'll tell you more afterwards."
"Oh…uh, ok." She looked at Link before timidly bowing her head. "Uh…Link? I'm pleased to meet you."
Link smiled at her before bowing his head. "Thank-you Florina, but the pleasure is all mine."
He then turned with Lyn to run towards the intact buildings leaving Florina with flushed cheeks.
Lyn called out to the first house. "Is anyone there?"
"Leave us alone you thugs!" A female voice yelled.
"Go away! We've got no more gold for you!" A male voice added.
A few household items and rocks came flying out the windows at them. Link quickly stepped in front of Lyn with his shield raised to defend against the sudden barrage.
"No, wait! Please!" Lyn called back. "We're not bandits! We want to help the village. Please listen."
The onslaught of flying objects ceased as another voice spoke up. "Remain inside everyone. I'll go see what's happening."
A brown-haired man carrying a bow stepped out of the building. "Not bandits, huh? So who are you?"
He wore a tunic the same colour as Lyn's outfit and white pants. On his left hand he wore a dark blue half glove while a light tan full glove covered his right. A quiver full of arrows hung at his side and he also wore the standard archer breast cover that hung from one shoulder and belted across his chest to secure a thick leather pad that protected his heart. His hazelnut eyes regarded Lyn intently.
"My name is Lyn." She said. "My colleagues and I are just travelling through here…but we saw the bandits about and we're going to deal with them, but we need you to go and warn the rest of the villagers."
She turned to leave but the archer called to her. "Hey! Wait!" He ran up to her. "The name's Wil. I'm a traveller of sorts, too. These villagers have been kind to me. Mind if I fight with you?"
Lyn looked at Link who just shrugged. Lyn turned back to Wil. "Not at all. We need all the help we can get! Welcome aboard, Wil!"
The three ran back to the others who were waiting patiently for them. Kent had very subtly moved himself between Florina and Sain and was giving Sain a very dangerous look that clearly said, "NOT NOW."
Florina still had her head down being left alone with the two strangers but looked up when she saw Lyn. She also saw danger.
"Lyn! There's a man with a bow behind you!"
Lyn screeched to a halt and looked behind her frantically. "Huh? What? Where?" She then looked at the weapon in Wil's hand. "Oh that's Wil."
Wil stood behind Lyn with a cheery smile. "Hi! You're on of Lyn's friends?"
Florina lowered her head again. "Um………"
Wil's smile turned to a look of concern. "What…what is it? Are you unwell?"
Lyn turned to him. "I'm sorry, Wil. Her name is Florina. She's timid around men and you…you've got a bow…"
"Oh! I see! You're a pegasus knight." Wil's smile returned. "I apologise for frightening you, but I understand your fear of bows."
"I…um…I'm sorry…" Florina stammered. "Even looking…at a…bow…frightens me ever so much…"
"Of course, I understand." He nodded. "But I'm on your side so you should only worry about the enemy's archers, ok?"
Florina nodded. "Yes…of course…"
"Alright then." Lyn said. "Let's get this over with."
"Sain and I will head that way." Kent said pointing to the eastern side of the town.
"But Kent I wanted to…"
"NOW!"
"Ah right! Coming!" Sain rode after his friend.
"Good luck!" Lyn shouted after them
"Florina and I will head over that wall, there." Lyn got up behind Florina.
"And we'll take the other side." Link said.
"Alright, good luck." Lyn and Florina rose into the air.
"And same to you!" Link and Wil both yelled.
Link turned to Wil and held out his hand. "Name's Link. Nice to meetcha Wil."
Wil grinned and shook his hand. "Same here."
"Let's go." Link ran forward followed closely by his partner. They ran around the western part of the ruined wall to aid their companions and encountered their first opponent.
A bandit ran towards them wielding a double-edged sword. Link ran to meet him and their blades collided with a loud clang. They held their position for a few seconds before Link grinned and pushed his opponent back before side-jumping out of the way as an arrow flew past him to embed into the bandit's chest. Link gave Wil a thumbs-up while Wil returned a light bow. They grinned at each other before carrying on.
Kent yelled as he hacked off the arm of an axe man with his sword. He followed through with a slash to the neck and severed the head from the body. To the side Sain stabbed a swordsman through the gut with his lance. Another axeman approached Sain from behind but Kent charged forward and dispatched the man with his own lance.
"Keep your guard up Sain!" Kent yelled.
Sain turned his horse to say something when an arrow flew passed him and lodged itself into Kent's shoulder right between the breastplate and the shoulder guard in his armour. The wound was not serious but it caused Kent to fall off his horse. Kent cried out in pain as Sain's expression went from shock at watching his friend fall to anger as he turned to the guilty archer. Sain's horse galloped forward at a thunderous pace as Sain flung his lance with such force that the archer was struck through the chest and pinned to the stone wall behind him. Sain dismounted and strode forward to yank his lance out of the wall. He rummaged through the dead man's equipment until he found a vulnerary. He ran back to Kent to find his friend had already pulled out the arrow.
"Here, Kent." Sain offered him the vulnerary.
"Thank-you Sain, but my wound can wait until after the battle is won. We must aid Lady Lyndis." He mounted his horse and charged forward again leaving Sain to frantically try to catch up.
"Lyn! Behind you!" Florina cried.
Lyn quickly spun to block a surprise attack from a bandit's sword. The man struck again. Lyn jumped backwards and countered by lunging forward and slashing his stomach open. The bandit fell and Lyn had to quickly twist away to avoid another bandit as he swung with his axe. Lyn squared off against the bandit who glared at her lewdly.
"You're lucky our boss wants you alive, wench!" He snarled before smirking. "I wouldn't mind breaking your spirit, meself."
Lyn narrowed her eyes. "You both want what you can't have." She said icily before lunging forward
Her strike was blocked by his axe; she followed through with a second slash that was also blocked. The brigand swung his axe which Lyn parried and gave her an opening to through her knee into his groin. The large man doubled over, clutching his sensitive pride.
Lyn smirked as she turned to see how Florina was doing. The pegasus knight was doing well despite her first real battle. She felled a swordsman with her lance and urged her pegasus upwards for another attack. However she missed noticing the man behind a large rock with a bow.
"Florina!" Lyn screamed as she dashed forward. She watched in horror as the archer drew his bowstring back. Florina turned to see the threat to her life just as the arrow flew threw the sky. Florina pulled her mount hard to the left to swerve away from the projectile. The arrow missed but Florina's mount was now unsteady and Florina had to fight to maintain control.
Lyn was glad her friend was all right but now her guard was down as she had all her attention focused on the archer ahead of her. She didn't see the man to the side; she didn't see what he was twirling over his head. The bandit grinned as he flung the bolo at the swordswoman.
"Ugh!" Lyn hit the dirt as the bolo wrapped around her ankles, binding her legs together. Another bandit ran forward with a rope before she could recover and tied her arms to her sides and bound her hands behind her back.
"Lyn!" Florina screamed as she saw her captured friend.
"Florina! Hurry! Get Link!" Lyn yelled.
Florina did not want to leave her but she couldn't defeat all those men by herself. She had no choice but to leave.
"On your feet, girl!" One of the bandits pulled her up off her knees.
Florina looked back and watched her friend be led away through the ruins of the town. She held back a tear as she focused all her energy towards finding Link. She rose up into the sky and scanned the area below. She soon spotted the green colour of his outfit, fighting his way through a group of the bandits the archer named Wil peppering them from behind. Florina dove down to inform them of Lyn's plight.
"LINK!"
Link turned his head to the sky when he heard his name. He saw the shy Pegasus knight flying towards him; his keen eyes could see a look of pure fear and desperation on her face. Link stabbed the brigand he had been fighting with through the stomach before turning to meet the incoming girl. Link blinked as he saw a nimble bandit jumping through the ruins behind her, twirling a bolo over his head.
"Look out!" Link pointed to the man behind her. "Wil! Drop him!"
Wil knocked an arrow into his bow and let it fly; the bandit fell seconds after he threw the bolo. Florina turned just in time to see the weapon fly towards her. She gasped as the bolo wrapped tightly around her chest, pinning her arms to her side. She struggled to free herself and fell from her pegasus. Link was too far away to catch her, his brow furrowed as he concentrated. A green flash burst around him as he cast Farore's Wind and disappeared. A second burst of green light erupted from below Florina as Link reappeared and caught the falling pegasus knight lightly.
"Are you all right?" he asked concerned.
Florina slowly opened her tightly closed eyes and gazed into his.
"I..uh..um..y-yes..I'm..ok." she flushed red as she bowed her head, her hands held together close to her mouth.
Link smiled at the nervous girl.
Florina looked back at him as she remembered why she had sought him. "Lyn…needs your help. She's been…c-captured."
Link's face turned serious. "Where is she?"
"She's…"
"She's with our leader, Migal." A voice behind them interrupted.
Link turned with Florina still in his arms to face several bandits walking towards them.
"The Sacaean is coming with us," A large man with an axe smirked. "And we're here to retrieve our other little prize. So why don't you hand the girl over and we might decide to let you live."
Florina shivered with fear and shrank back deeper into Link's protective grasp.
"Not a chance." The Hylian hero stated.
The bandit smirked. "Then you will die."
He charged forward full of brute force. His intent; to separate Link's head from his shoulders.
"You might be a formidable opponent on your own, but what can you do with both arms around a helpless girl!"
Link narrowed his eyes dangerously at the attacking man. "I can protect her."
He jumped backwards as the bandit swung his axe. He landed lightly and glared at the large man in front of him. He tightened his grasp on Florina's light frame as he whispered to her. "Don't worry I won't let them harm you, but I need you to be strong so I can do more than just dodge, alright?"
Florina looked at him fearfully. They were now surrounded by bandits and it was all she could do to keep from bursting into tears. She was without a weapon and her arms were still bound to her sides making it impossible for Link to put her down and with his arms full, he could not fight. Yet somehow, his words comforted her. She gave a quick nod of her head. Link smiled at her and turned to the man who had attacked them.
"Hmmph, nice move. You're pretty fast on your feet, kid. But you won't be able to jump around forever."
He charged again and swung his axe vertically with one hand. Link pivoted away as the axe smashed into the ground. The bandit smirked; he had anticipated the move and threw a punch with his free left hand. A foot crashed into his face.
"GAAHHHH!" The man grabbed his face as his back hit the ground. Link had used the speed from his pivot give added momentum to a powerful roundhouse with enough force to knock the large man off his feet.
"I never intended too." Link said coolly. "Lyn is not the only one who can kick."
The bandit rose slowly to his feet, blood pouring from his broken nose. "I'LL KILL YOU!"
Link smirked and stepped aside as an arrow whizzed past and feathered the man in the head.
"Thanks, Wil!" Link called over his shoulder. The Pheraen archer stepped out from behind the ruins of a house with another arrow nocked and ready.
"Anytime, Link. Is she alright?"
"Yes, she's ok. But we need to hurry, Lyn has been captured."
Wil grimaced before loosing his arrow and dropping an axe wielder who was standing between him and Link.
"Then let's get this over with."
Angered over their fallen comrades and at the impudence the two young men before them were regarding them with, the bandits launched their attack. Florina gasped and squeezed her eyes shut as Link lunged forward and cracked one of the men in the chin with his knee. He landed softly and instantly backflipped over a swordsman's slash. Link planted both feet into his back and used him as a springboard to backflip again. He split kicked two more men in the face before he landed and then pulled out his hookshot. Tightening his one armed grip on Florina, Link fired the device at the ruins Wil had been hiding behind. The arrow shaped point dug firm into the wreckage and Link and Florina were instantly launched away from danger. Dropping back to the ground after their escape Link replaced the hookshot back in his belt pouch before dashing farther into the ruins. He gently placed Florina in a corner before slicing off her bonds with a boot knife.
"Stay here." He said gently before leaving the ruins and joining Wil who was shooting arrows as fast as he could while backing away from the oncoming mob. Link looked around for his sword, which he had jabbed into the ground before casting his spell. He quickly seized it and ran to Wil's aid. Thanks to Wil's endless volley of arrows whittling away at their opposition and Link's earlier footwork, it didn't take much for the Hero of Time to dispatch the remainder of the group of bandits. Not wasting a moment Link resheathed his sword and ran back to where Florina was waiting, followed closely by Wil.
"Where's Lyn, Florina?" he asked her.
"She was taken that way," She pointed north-east.
"Can you take me there on your?" he asked gently, remembering her shyness.
Florina blinked and stared at him for a moment before slowly nodding.
"Good." Link smiled. "Wil?" He turned to the archer.
"Yeah?"
"I need you to find Kent and Sain and make your way to the north-east part of the village."
"Gotcha! See-ya in a jiff." The Pheraen grinned and dashed away. Link turned back to Florina who was now standing.
"Let's go save Lyn." He said.
Florina nodded again before stepping outside. Placing her middle finger and her thumb in-between her lips, Florina whistled for her mount. A loud whinny answered her call and soon the majestic form of the Ilian Pegasus was descending towards them. Florina quickly mounted and Link got on behind her, fear once again leaving the timid pegasus knight thanks to her friendship with Lyn.
Florina urged her mount into the gracefully into the air above the village to look for Lyn. They spotted a group of bandits on the outskirts of the village and Link's keen eyes could see the green hair of their friend among them.
"Over there!" he pointed.
Florina turned in the direction he indicated and urged her pegasus faster. As they neared, Link could make out some sort of argument, though the whipping wind around him prevented him form hearing what was happening he could tell Lyn was the cause of it. Florina gasped and Link's eyes widened as the man who looked to be the bandit leader angrily raised a club-like object over Lyn's head. Fear flooded through Florina, like a dam that had suddenly cracked. Not hearing the words of the man behind her she screamed her friend's name.
Lyn hit the dirt as she was shoved roughly from behind. Groaning lightly she struggled to her knees. Shaking her head slightly she took in her surroundings. There were bandits all around her, the main force of the brigand raid. Though significantly smaller thanks to the actions of Lyn and her comrades, it was still a force to be reckoned with. Looking ahead of her she saw the apparent leader of the raid and the man who they had encountered earlier, Migal.
"Well, well, we meet again." He sneered as he strode up to her. "Not bad a catch, eh boys?" The bandits around them laughed. He bent his knees so he was eye level with the captive Sacaean. "You and your puny band of heroes cost us a few of our brothers, but once your little friend shows up then I think I can call this a successful raid."
He reached out and stroked her cheek. "Wouldn't you?"
Lyn glared daggers at him and spat in response.
Migal grinned and stood up. Wiping the saliva off his face he turned to his fellow bandits.
"Haha! Well this one's got some spirit to her. Ain't often we get both looks and spunk!"
They laughed and one of them shouted. "Hey, Migal! Wouldn't it be a bit of a shame to sell her?"
Migal's grin widened. "Yes it would."
"And didn't she also cause some of our brothers deaths?" Another one said.
"True, again." Migal nodded. "No we can't sell her, it'd be a waste. Why don't we give ourselves a treat and cage the two birds for ourselves?"
Resounding cheers answered his question.
Lyn narrowed her eyes as she looked around. Anger coursed throughout her whole body as she gazed at the despicable men around her. She struggled briefly against her bonds trying to find someway to free herself. A loose knot, a frayed section, a careless wrap, anything she could work with, but the men were obviously not new to this so she could find nothing to aid her.
"Lessee…" she heard Migal's voice again. "Judging by her garb, I'd say she'd be one of the Lorca."
Lyn snapped her head towards him.
"The Lorca? Weren't they wiped put by the Taliver?" One of the bandits asked.
"Aye, such a waste." Migal shook his head. "They had some pretty girls among them."
"You, Migal was it?" Lyn spoke.
"Hmmm?" Migal turned to her. "Hmph, begging for your life so soon wench?"
"Never!" Lyn spat. "I would never lower myself to one such as you! I only wanted to ask you something."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"You're not Taliver?"
"Taliver? Those greedy monsters? We're nothing like them!" Migal roared. "Those fiends will even kill women and children! We're from Ganelon and we know a little something of honour. We don't harm women for on thing."
He chuckled a bit. "After all, why kill what you can sell?"
He walked back and grabbed her chin roughly. "Or in cases like you, break."
Lyn grunted as she was hauled to her feet by the muscular man who was at least a foot taller than her. He turned her head to the side and took a long sniff into her hair.
"Ahh…lovely." He said with satisfaction before he leaned down lower and licked her cheek.
Lyn pulled away in disgust, her blue eyes now burning with more anger than ever.
"Haha! A warrior's spirit! All the more fun to crush!" Migal grinned as he licked his lips.
"But before that, a warrior like you should grace us with a name. So what is it Lorca wench?"
With barely controlled rage, Lyn spoke.
"I am Lyn of the Lorca! Daughter of Hassar, chieftain of the Lorca!"
Migal blinked in surprise. "The chieftain's daughter?"
One of the bandits spoke up at the news. "That'll be somethin ya can keep under your belt, eh Migal?"
Migal nodded and grinned lustfully. "Yeah in more ways than one. Heh, the proud daughter of a proud chief from a proud tribe; that just makes it all the more sweeter. Too bad her old man ain't here to see where she is now. And with looks like that…" He gazed lewdly at Lyn's figure. "I'd say her mother would be a real prize as well."
Lyn stared at him in shock before lowering her head. She was visibly trembling with anger at the disgrace that these men were showing to her parents. It was beyond anything she could contain. Rage clouded her judgment and her pride brought out the words she spoke.
"You said you were not Taliver, so normally there wouldn't be any reason for you to die here today."
Migal furrowed his brow with anger of his own at her words.
"What did you say!" he said dangerously.
Lyn continued. "The Taliver slaughtered my tribe and for that they will pay. Before today I had no personal quarrel with you and I was going to allow you to tuck your tails and slink away like the dogs you are. But I will not allow anyone who disgraces my family to live!"
Migal stormed up to his audacious captive and backhanded her across the face. Reeling from the blow, Lyn fell back to her knee but refused to fall.
"You…you! No more courtesies! You're going to learn to watch your tongue!"
Migal motioned to one of his men who threw him an axe. Migal swung the broadside of the weapon against a large rock, breaking the head off. Migal walked back up to Lyn with his makeshift club. He would make her pay. He would make her pay dearly. First he would teach her some respect now and then tonight he would have her begging for mercy before him. He swung the axe shaft at her head. Lyn involuntarily cringed and squeezed her eyes shut waiting for the blow.
"LYYNN!"
A shimmering blue barrier appeared around Lyn's body just as Migal's attack struck. The shaft broke in half upon connecting with the barrier leaving Lyn unharmed.
"WHAT THE…!"
All heads turned to the sky to see a pegasus and its rider flying towards them.
"Flor…in..a?" Lyn stared at the sky. As her friend neared the ground a figure from behind her pushed off from the pegasus and plummeted headfirst towards them. The figure in green gripped the hilt of the sword on his back before drawing it from its scabbard and into a fast and deadly slash. Migal jumped back inches from being severed in half while the swordsman tucked his head in perfect fluid motion with his slash to shoulder roll along the ground. Absorbing the momentum from the fall he rolled towards Migal and kicked off from the ground to knock the man over with a powerful body check.
"Are you ok, Lyn?" The swordsman asked as he stood up straight from his attack.
Lyn's escaping breath held relief and happiness to as she gazed at the man who had saved her once again.
"I'm fine thanks to you, Link." She smiled as she stood up.
Link smiled back as he turned around and strode up to her. He cut her bonds with his sword and she immediately wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. She released him as Florina landed so she could hug her as well.
"Thank-you, Florina." She said gratefully.
"You're welcome Lyn." Florina said with relief.
"WHY YOU LITTLE PUNK!" Migal rose to his feet and grabbed his large axe.
He glared at Link and began stepping towards him. However, Lyn's eyes narrowed at him and she let go of Florina and stepped between him and Link.
"Your fight is with me Migal." She placed one hand on her sword scabbard just below the hilt while the fingers of her other hand gripped the hilt of her sword. "I will make you pay for what you said about my family and what you did to me."
"Feh," Migal spat. "If I kill you here, I won't get to have my fun later."
"If you kill me," Lyn glared at him. "My friends will kill you. You are no match for them; either way your fate is sealed."
"Hate to disappoint you but you're outnumbered." Migal smirked.
"I beg to differ." A new voice called out.
Everyone turned to the newcomer and watched as Kent rode up with Sain and Wil next to him.
"I think this should even the odds." The red cavalier said.
Lyn turned back to the bandit leader. "What'll it be, Migal?"
"Fine then. I'll kill all of you! Let's go!"
Migal charged towards her, his axe gripped with both hands. Lyn bent her knees as she prepared for the attack. She tightened her grip on her sword as she watched Migal leap into the air and attack with a devastating axe drive. Focusing her anger into cold rage, Lyn dodged by jumping back. The instant she landed, she bent her knees into a lower crouch and sprung forward with lightning speed. Passing under Migal's guard, Lyn whipped her sword from its sheath and slashed Migal abdomen. Before blood could spill, Lyn leapt back to where she was before and slid her blade gracefully back into its sheath. So fast was her strike that no blood touched the cold metal of Lyn's sword.
As the red fluid from Migal's fatal wound began staining the ground he spoke his final words through coughs of blood.
"Ugh! You'll live to regret this…My brother's… the Ganelon bandits will not let this stand…"
He collapsed to the ground as his last breath passed his lips.
Silence surrounded the area for a moment before the shocked bandits panicked.
"Migal is dead!"
"Gah! She's a devil!
"Let's get out of here!
"Run!"
The remaining bandits fled the town.
Lyn walked back towards her friends, wiping where Migal had licked her earlier with the back of her hand.
"That's finally taken care of." She said.
"Well, done my lady," Kent congratulated. "Excellent technique. Sword Draw, right?"
Lyn nodded.
"Sword Draw? What's that?" Sain inquired.
"By waiting until the last possible moment to draw her sword and turning the draw into an instant slash Lyn increased the speed and power of her attack to beyond that of a normal swing of the sword." Kent answered.
"You're very knowledgeable, Kent." Lyn smiled.
Kent bowed his head. "Thank-you milady."
Sain pouted silently to himself at their exchange of words.
"Lyn!" Florina ran forward and hugged her friend again.
"Florina…Why did you follow me?" Lyn asked her gently. "It's so dangerous."
The young pegasus knight looked up at her. "Do you remember the knighting ceremony of the Pegasus Knights of Ilia?"
Lyn nodded. "Yes, you join a band of freelance soldiers to further your training. Oh, is that what brought you here, Florina?"
Florina nodded. "Uh-huh. I wanted to talk to you before I set out. But when I went to Sacae, I heard that you had left with some strangers, and…well…"
"You were worried for me?" Lyn smiled understandably. "Thank-you, but I'm more worried about you."
"Me?" Florina blinked.
Lyn sighed. "Listen, most mercenaries are men, right? Bands of men? I can't imagine you being at all comfortable around them."
Florina lowered her head. "I know, I know." She said in a soft voice. "It's just…I've always dreamt of being a pegasus knight. I just imagined that I just…I would work it out. Somehow."
She sighed as she felt tears begin to build in her emerald green eyes.
"Maybe I should just… give up…" She sniffed as the tears slowly flowed down her cheeks.
"Florina…don't cry…" Lyn consoled.
"Yes! There's no reason to give up on your dream!"
"Hm?" Lyn turned to see Sain off his horse and rapidly approaching.
"Lovely Florina!" He declared dramatically. "I have the most brilliant idea!"
"Sain!" Kent, who was to slow to stop his friend, walked up to him sternly.
"You should come with us!" The philandering knight announced. "With the addition of Wil here, we're a fine group of soldiers, and freelance to boot!"
"Wait," Wil spoke up. "Did you just include me?"
"Of course!" the outlandish Sain continued. "We were destined to meet here! It's fate!"
"Come now," he motioned to the timid pegasus knight. "Lyndis's band of mercenaries is as good a training group as you will find anywhere!"
"Sain, this is no joking matter!" Kent shook his head as he dragged Sain away.
Florina turned back to Lyn. "Lyndis? Um, Lyn? Mercenaries?"
Lyn sighed as she thought for a moment. "I can give you details later. This is all a bit rushed."
She smiled at her friend. "However, Sain is right. Will you come with us, Florina?"
Florina's eyes lit up. "Travel with you, Lyn? Truly?"
"I would be so…so happy!" Florina smiled with pure joy.
At this news Sain, with obviously practiced skill, broke away from Kent's iron hold and leapt forwards.
"Fantastic! Beauteous Florina!" Sain turned on his irresistible charm. "I am a knight of Caelin. My name is Sain…"
"Ahh!" Florina screamed before immediately jumping behind Lyn. "Stay back!" She cried. "Don't get so close."
Link snickered and leaned close to Wil. "Ooh, shot down."
Wil laughed while Sain was undaunted.
"Ah…" he sighed. "Beautiful and yet so modest!" He walked back to his steed while Florina scurried to her own mount in the opposite direction.
Meanwhile Kent walked up to Lyn with his head bowed. "I beg your forgiveness. Calling us mercenaries…"
"No." Lyn interrupted. "I approve. We can't leave Florina on her own. She does require special attention though." She looked over at Sain who was once again stealing glances at her friend. "Er…in more ways than one. Can I count on you?"
Kent immediately lifted his head. "Yes! You have but to ask." He turned and walked back to keep an eye on Sain. Wil took his place as he walked up, followed by Link.
"So…Is it really all right if I travel with you?" He asked.
"Oh, yes. Of course!" She smiled. "You're more than welcome if you are willing, Wil."
Wil grinned. "Actually, I'm very grateful. Truth be told, all my money was stolen, and I'm…at a bit of a crossroads, you could say. I would be honoured to count myself as on of Lyndis's Legion!"
Lyn blinked at the name. "Lyndis's Legion?"
"It has a nice ring to it." Link grinned.
Lyn sighed and shook her head. "This is getting stranger with every day, Link."
"It's bound to get even more so as we go." Link chuckled.
Another short scream rung through the air as Florina once again took shelter behind Lyn as Sain walked up to them grinning like an idiot while clasping his hands together.
Lyn, Wil, and Link couldn't help but laugh while Kent smacked his face in exasperation.
"We should head back to the unruined part of town." Wil said. "I'm sure the villagers will give us a place to stay for the night."
"That's a good idea." Link agreed.
The newly formed Lyndis's Legion made their way back to remaining part of the town where they were greeted by grateful townsfolk. Who were more than happy to give the warriors a place to stay. Surprisingly, they had a fairly good service to offer despite the raid and a bit of a celebration was in order.
Wil laughed merrily as he chatted with as many people as he could, he certainly wasn't shy about making new friends while Sain, with a drink in his hand, began pitching woo left and right. Kent, always the dutiful knight, sighed at Sain's actions and refused any drink offered him. Lyn laughed lightly as well while her friend, Florina, sat silently next to her with her head down blushing furiously and silently ignoring the guys who were hitting on her. Link sat silently at the same table, his ears tucked back into his hat, drinking lightly and grinning at the action around him, that is until a few guys dragged him into a game of cards, despite not knowing the rules of this worlds games. After a few hours though, Link walked away with a decent amount of change more than the other players. He sighed to himself as he looked around at his friends. He chuckled to himself as Kent leaned up against a wall behind Lyn and through threatening looks at those who tried to approach his lady liege. Sain was surrounded by girls with a roguish grin plastered on his face. Link also noticed a few of the young women eyeing him as well, though he paid them no mind other than a return smile. Wil had taken over his place at the card table, but Florina was nowhere to be found. Wondering where she had gone, Link quietly left the building. Lyn saw him leave and was curious as to where he was going, her thoughts, however were interrupted by a sudden slapping sound as one of the girls walked away with a huff, leaving the green cavalier with a red mark on his cheek.
Link closed the door behind him and looked around the moon illuminated town. He spotted Florina and her pegasus under a nearby tree. She was rubbing its muzzle and talking to it as if it was human. Link grinned to himself for he had often done the same to Epona, his beloved mare.
"Isn't it great that we'll be traveling with Lyn, Huey?" Florina said to her winged steed. "Now I won't have to worry about being on my own."
The pegasus snorted at her.
"Oh, sorry Huey." She apologized. "I'm never alone with you at my side, but it will be a lot easier for me with Lyn around though."
"Having a close friend nearby makes everything easier."
Florina gasped, startled by the new voice, while Huey twitched his ears towards the noise. Link strode toward the pair calmly. As he neared, Huey stepped forward and extended a wing between Link and his master with a defiant snort.
"Hey, easy there boy, I'm not a bad guy." Link raised his hands.
"Umm…I…uh…er…wh-what are you..d.doing h-here." Florina stammered as she peeked over Huey's majestic wing, both hands holding the top.
"You disappeared and I was just wondering where you went." Link replied. "I figured you'd want to get away from all the people and noise so I came out here. Looks like I was right."
Link took another step forward but stopped at Huey's angry snort.
"Doesn't like me too much, does he?" Link smiled.
"Well…I…uh…he…th-that is…"
"I once met a horse like that once." Link continued. "Her name's Epona and she didn't like me at all when we first met."
"Really?" Florina inquired curiously.
Link grinned and nodded. "Yeah, in fact she would only come close when her owner was near and ran off as soon as I tried to touch her. She was only young filly at the time, but she was as wild and untamed a raging fire as and faster than most adult horses. The only one who could even touch her, let alone ride her, was a friend of mine named Malon."
"So what happened?" Florina asked, her nervousness slowly ebbing away without her knowing.
"Malon taught me a song that Epona really liked. The song would calm the horse down enough for me to approach her and eventually she started to warm up to me. Now she's grown into a magnificent animal and has carried me through thick and thin."
"You sang a song to her?"
Link laughed. "No, I didn't. Malon is the singer. If I sang to Epona she probably would have run me over."
"So what did you do?"
Link reached into his item bag and withdrew his ocarina
"I played to her on this."
Link closed his eyes as he placed the instrument between his lips and began to play Epona's Song. With practiced precision and mastered skill, Link moved his fingers over the holes and let the soft melody drift around them with an almost magic aura. Florina listened to the music silently as she felt the song wash away her fears and doubts like water dripping off a flower. Huey's ears twitched constantly with the music and Florina could also feel him relaxing as well. When he was finished, Link lowered the instrument and smiled lightly at the pair in front of him.
"That was beautiful." Florina breathed.
"Thank-you," Link nodded as he extended his hand towards the white pegasus.
Florina blinked in surprise when Huey allowed the Hylian to rub his muzzle. The animal nickered softly as Link rubbed the winged steed as he would Epona.
"Oh! Huey doesn't normally let other people touch him!"
Link nodded. "Yes, I can tell he has complete loyalty and trust for you and is reluctant to give even a portion of that to anyone else. You have truly found a lifelong friend."
Florina flushed a little at the compliment; however it vanished when she noticed a brief look sadness in his blue eyes.
"Where is she now?" she asked quietly.
"I'm not really sure." Link sighed. "I don't remember what it was that I was doing before I wound up here. If I was riding her at the time she probably would have ended up here with me."
"Oh, I see." Florina lowered her head. Lyn had told her earlier about Link as well as everything else that had happened to her since she last saw her friend.
Link turned away to gaze at the moon.
"I think night is one of my favourite times of the day." He changed the subject so as not to arouse Florina's shyness again.
"Really?" Florina looked up.
Link nodded. "I love to look at the shimmering moon and the stars that dot the sky. I find it very relaxing and it reminds me of simpler times as a child."
Florina smiled lightly and nodded. She also enjoyed watching the stars at night. Link grinned at walked towards the base of the tree. With a relieved sigh he sat on the grass and leaned up against the trunk of the tree with his legs stretched out in front of him and his arms curled behind his head so he could look up at the star lit sky. After a few moments Huey also bent his legs to lie under the canopy of the tree. Florina unconsciously followed suit as she took a few steps forward and sat beside her pegasus, both her legs bent to the left away from her body while her right arm curled around Huey neck.
"Was that your first real battle today?" Link said after awhile.
Florina blinked and blushed again, feeling her nervousness well up again.
"I..uh..well..uh-huh." She nodded quickly.
Link laughed a little at the girl's sudden mood change. She was so much different from Lyn.
"Lyn told me it was, but If she hadn't I would have said otherwise." He gave her a comforting smile. "You fought very well today."
"uhh…thank-you." The pegasus knight said. "and umm…I also w-want to thank-y-you for…saving..me."
Link sat up slowly. "Why are you thanking me? You did something greater than me today."
Florina stared at him in confusion.
Link continued. "You risked your life to save your friend. Rather than trying to rescue Lyn on your own, you put yourself in greater danger by flying through the center of battle to get help. Lyn said you were a very shy person, but you overcame that natural fear in order to help her. That shows a friendship at its most true and binding level. When you can forgo all other thoughts and focus everything into saving someone who is precious to you, that is a sign of true courage."
"After that, the least I could do was aid you."
Link leaned back against the tree and continued in his stargazing. Florina also looked towards the sky to marvel at the beauty of the night. After a few minutes of silence, Link once again placed his ocarina in his mouth and began to play. The tune that drifted from the instrument was even softer than the one he had played earlier and held a more ethereal aura. After awhile Florin began to relax and felt her eyelids grow heavier. Soon she had leaned up against Huey and drifted into slumber. Link let the music fade away before standing up with a smile. Both the young girl and Huey were sound asleep, the pegasus had wrapped one wing around Florina's body. They both looked so peaceful and innocent.
Link silently walked away so as not to wake them and found Lyn leaning up against the building they were staying at. They regarded each other for a few minutes, exchanging silent words before Link grinned and went inside.
Lyn chuckled to herself lightly before staring at her sleeping friend. She had never known Florina to even talk to stranger by herself, let alone fall asleep near one. In just a one day, Link had helped Florina take a large step towards overcoming her fear. Lyn stared at the sky in wonder.
Is there anything he can't do?
A/N: Chapter 6 done! Hoorah! Wow, that took forever! I hope everyone enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was fun, even though it took along time. I hope I'm making the characters personalities and such believable and I would greatly appreciate any advice on stuff I'm not. Yes, I did take the reasoning for Lyn's gamestyle non-crit attack from Rurouni Kenshin and unfortunately I couldn't think of a better name for it. Well that's about it, I'm still waiting on people's votes for Link pairings. Your votes may change how I decide to write the story. Until next time, please R&R!