Ashei didn't need an answer, Robert didn't look like he wanted one, but Loran...

It wasn't like magic was a popular thing to begin with, but Loran's hate was new and even Link wasn't sure how to react.

"Next time you start that I won't hesitate, Hero," Link sighed and Robert looked uncomfortable. "Can't you control it?"

Link bit down his 'I thought I did,' because that was, for sure, not the answer Loran wanted. So Link just gave her what she needed, "I won't blame you if you kill next time."

Robert looked to the side, "Hey, come on, it won't happen again." Robert had made sure to stuff that weird looking shard of mirror with him. Link had made him promise to keep it away from him, along with another little bag Robert hadn't dared peek in.

Link remained silent most of the way and Ashei did her best to keep Loran occupied with more mundane tasks than monsters falling from the sky.

At night, and by the time Robert had started to worry about Link's more-than-normal mutiny, Link had come to him. Link didn't say anything, just sat next to him and sighed.

"Does this have to do with you spawning monsters from the sky?"

Link snickered, "As long as you keep those things away from me we should be fine."

"Should I be worried?"

Link shrugged, "I've gotten out of worse."

"I'm not worried about you, buddy."

It was worth it to see Link smile again.

The moment the villagers heard they had come to defeat the monster, their group was surrounded by people giving them thanks and all types of information.

"Odolwa, huh?" Loran whispered. A monster that had appeared out of nowhere and that reeked of magic.

Link couldn't help the guilt that filled his stomach. Not that Loran needed another reason to hate magic.

They went directly to face the monster, Link had even told them they could stay behind.

Loran had almost bitten his head off.

Robert had accompanied them too, but he was content in watching Link fight from afar and get as many weird looking moths as he could.

Odolwa fought as if he danced and it creeped Robert way more than it should. He also had a sword at least twice their size and he could call forward some type of moths Robert didn't want to think about. Robert was coming to terms with his cowardice and he was more than happy to shout warnings every now and then to Link, Ashei and Loran.

Ashei rolled to the side and cut a moth in half, "I thought you were getting these!?"

Robert aimed, "I'm trying!"

"Try harder!"

Link moved with practiced easiness and even Loran let him call the orders. It shouldn't have surprised Robert that much but his mouth was still wide open when Link made Odolwa fall and cut his head with a pretty movement of his wrist.

"Magic," spat Loran.

This time Robert wasn't even trying to divert her attention, "What are we supposed to do with this?"

Link sheathed his sword, "We take the head, get it back to Hyrule so they can send it to Termina all pretty and we forget about it."

Ashei smirked, "It shows you are way out of your zone with this."

Robert shook his head with an exaggerated movement, "Is that supposed to make me feel bad? Because it's not working."

Ashei cocked her head, "One can try."

Epona was the only horse to be spared the work of carrying Odolwa's head. On the one hand, four horses carrying one big head was overkill and impractical, and on the other hand it was funny to see Link sulking because he wasn't doing anything.

"Don't force yourself," Link said to Robert, but Robert was enjoying the situation enough to even hide discomfort.

"Link, just take it easy and let us take care of this."

Link gave him stinky eyes and Robert couldn't help but snicker.

Link disappeared as soon as they arrived at Castle Town. Loran wasn't good at formal events and Ashei flat out refused to do anything but stand there so it fell to Robert to be the representative and stand Princess' Zelda's eerily sweet smile.

The moment Robert stepped outside people wanted to know about Odolwa's adventure and fight and Robert understood from the bottom of his cold dead heart why Link had turned tail at the first opportunity.

And though Telma's wasn't the most inconspicuous of places, knowing he was able to read Link's seemingly weird antics made Robert greet him with a smile.

"You will be glad to know I handled everything beautifully."

Link raised his head and gave him a small smile.

Robert sat on Link's bed, unsure on how to tread the topic of Link's shining skin.

"Do you know what's wrong with you?"

"Nope," Link let his lips make a bubble sound at the end. Robert had remained silent, and his silence creeped Link more that anything, "I'll ask Zelda, she ought to know something more."

"You were glowing."

"Yeah."

"And you're not really surprised about that..."

Link turned slightly, "You want to know?"

Robert scrunched his nose, "I don't think I want to, no."

Link wiped a bit of grease from his sword, "Just so you know, even if I do transform, I can come back, don't worry too much."

Robert snorted, "Sure, I won't worry. Here you are, talking about transforming magic and I'm not freaking out at all, all right? I'm dandy here, the very picture of calmness-"

"Robert."

Robert had his mouth open and was shaking his head as if he were admonishing Link.

"It's gonna be fine."

Zelda had her brows pinched together, "That's worrying."

Link raised his shoulders, "Kinda, yeah, but I had Robert keep the stone and the mirror and so long I don't touch those, I'm gonna be fine."

"Or so you think. But this time you were transforming and you weren't touching anything."

"Maybe I was, who knows."

"You know, as if you would touch those things without knowing."

Link made a face and looked at Zelda, "It won't happen again."

Zelda got closer to him, "Link, I am not admonishing you, I'm just worried. Midna broking the mirror was supposed to sever for good the link between our worlds, and it clearly..." Zelda drifted off staring at Link.

So Link finished, "It hasn't been broken."

Zelda grasped at her chest. Everything they had done, Midna's farewell, all for nothing.

Zelda could see monsters falling outside her window, the dark shining reflection of her cage surrounding them, Zant's cold breath behind her neck.

"Zelda." Zelda didn't answer but Link could see the fear in her eyes, well hidden but there nonetheless, "You're not alone now, all right?"

It was a blessing, Zelda thought, a blessing in the form of a man, and when Zelda let her head fall to Link's neck and he gathered her in his arms Zelda wanted to cry.

"You too."

Link hummed in question, "What?" he whispered.

"I won't let you be alone either."

Link bit his lower lip and looked out the window. He closed his eyes and focused on Zelda's heat, on her scent, on her...

He, too, was seeing monsters falling from cuts in the sky.