Ya'll this chapter almost killed me. Not only was I supposed to be doing biweekly updates, but I was also supposed to follow the script or whatever, I hated the original chapter 2 so I rewrote it into this. Obviously next chapter will be Ordon and more things about Niah and we see Midna VERY EXCITED! And then probably the chapter after that it's the Goron Mines. When they enter Castle Town I have a... surprise... because a race from the Zelda universe that isn't in TP is showing up.

Also love the fact that back in the day I could barely write 1k words per chapter, but now I go over my 3k limit. Love that for me. It's called growth, you should try it some time sweaty.

Anyways, I hate how chapter one is written, so in the future I am rewriting it. Gimme some time ya'll

Last but not least, this chapter was BARELY edited, because as I said; we die like men. And no, future A/N's will not be this long.


A massive box filled with stapled packets caught her eye as the sound of a door opened behind her. Niah lulled her head back and took in a deep breath, releasing it she positioned herself. Even through the sound from the door - it was quiet. Devoid from any evading noise and the ambience, a lullaby of silence and isolation. Niah was jealous. Her gaze drifted out the window as she saw the parking lot bathed in sunlight. The pavement hot to the touch in the April heat, the sound of an electric fan and the scatter of other papers.

"-ah, Niah. Niah."

Her name being called as her vision was disturbed by a figure released from the figment. She leaned back in the chair, her hands folded together, Niah almost rolled her eyes. But she was also here for a reason, a troubled reason.

"Since you're back on Earth. You know why you're here."

"I do, Mrs. Amber." Niah muttered.

"Good, because what you did was inexcusable. I should have called the police, and you're very lucky his parents aren't pressing charges." Her voice was like a hot fumed as her eyes daggered into Niah. "I should expel you for that-"

"-But you're not.""- And you're lucky I'm not because you don't deserve to be here." Mrs. Amber exaggerated. Afterwards her hands opened slightly in hindrance to catch her breath. She stayed calm, collected typically but her patience was thinned.

"Niah, you're a smart girl. But we can't keep having this back and forth continuously, regardless of how smart you are. You. We need to figure something out."

Niah let her hands rub against her face, this time she really did roll her eyes in vexation. "So you are expelling me?" She let out a bitter laugh. Throwing herself out of the seat - she paced, one foot in front of the other as she flexed her fingers in indignation. Niah was almost tempted to shout.

"I'm not expelling you. I'm-", breathed in, "You broke someone's nose, and usually that does justify you to be expelled. However, because of your father, I'm only forcing a two week suspension. Go home."

"But-!"

"Go home."

_/\_

She refused to open her eyes - Niah's vision would be like an ocean. Moving in waves and from her delirious state she felt a cool cloth pressed against her forehead. It was damp compared to the heat that surrounded her. Even her eyes wouldn't open and more than likely for the best as the sudden soft sound of whispers tangled her thoughts. The noise didn't feel somber but in fact welcoming as her head throbbed and when she swallowed - her throat was rasp as Niah's voice refused to make way into the lucidity.

"I think she's waking up." An unfamiliar voice whispered, it sounded tender, almost like a child.

"I wouldn't be surprised Colin, her fever broke not too long ago. Her body wants to move." Another voice, but this time - it was deeper, more rich in their tone. Desperately she silently pleaded for her eyes to open so she could face the two people that had found her body. But her muscles and mentality seared in distant pain and ache. They refused to move. Who knew what these two had plans for. Niah had no strength to even defend herself if things went awry. She felt defenseless as she was paralysed by her own will and prowess. Niah had to think, long and hard. What would be her final statement to a cold… uncaring world.

"Link," The voice of Colin picked up again. "I think she's waking up." Niah could hear the footsteps creak against wooden floors. They were in no haste. In fact - Link, seemed to methodically pace towards her.

Link? She thought. No.

The memories from what was a mere lucid dream raced back into her mind. The cup, the man - Renado. And Link. She recognized that voice from her dream with the water and all that falling. The way his voice carried a cogent understanding. Niah remembered waking up cold and damp. She remembered falling through the enchanting light with her father's jacket, her phone, and… a broach. A red one that looked to be the shape of a dragon.

"-That's great Colin, but I think it's time you take your leave for now. Go play with the other kids." She heard a huff in response as his feet scampered out the door.

"I shall take my leave as well, good luck, Link."

After Renado left - Niah tried to keep herself still. Tried to even her already ragged breath, and tried to keep the tension from embedding itself within her. Patient's was a virtue she learned. Her eyes remained closed, tempted to lunge as she felt her body suddenly begin to awaken with her brain.

Footsteps walked to the right side of the cot. She stayed still. There was something being placed down - a cup more than likely, There was a small shift in the shuffling as she heard the creak of a chair next to her. Niah was almost inclined to jump at the movement - but as the rag was removed from her forehead, a hand almost gently brushed against her skin. Shuddering - she suddenly realized how warm she felt. How hot it was under the sheets and how cool Link's skin was. It had been years since she's been so sick but right then she felt it. An illness rapturing her body in a harsh take over.

"You gave us quite a scare." There was a soft laugh that accompanied the voice, "But since your fever broke, you seem to be doing much better."

Niah wasn't sure if she should reply or not. But as she was able to control her movements - her eyes fluttered open. Grateful there was no blinding light, she didn't try to sit up.

"Ah, see. You're fine. Just a bit more rest and you'll be as good as new."

Link was out of her peripheral, moved to the end of the bed, it sounded like he had picked something up. Sloshing from either a pail or bucket could be heard just at the end of the cot. Niah tried to sit up on her elbows, a painful process as her muscles felt drained yet unused as she had lied in bed for however long. She took a long breath in as she was finally able to feel herself relax in the uncanny position.

Niah cleared her throat. "What are you doing?" As expected her voice was harsh and rasped.

Then Link finally turned towards her as he finished wringing out the cloth. Niah's breath hitched. Caught in her throat as she suddenly felt vertigo. Her mind was tantalizing her, playing a trick. Link was real. He was here; right now, his taut body was still relatively thin and so young - it made her heart hurt when she remembered what he had to do to save Hyrule.

"Sorry, I was going to get a different rag, but it doesn't look like there is a reason to."

Silence rang out between the two as Niah shifted her gaze throughout the room. Wooden beams were there to support the tan basement-like structure. It was cold and empty, but if there was anything she remembered about this specific place, as this was where Link collected those bugs for the light spirit. So, a hotel? She vividly recalled this being the place that the children and other inhabitants slept. Ralis would be taken here to heal after the ordeals in Castle Town with Ilia. Niah stopped herself. She was thinking too far ahead, right now it was the Goron Mines if that hasn't been dealt with yet.

Niah was able to shift herself on the bed enough to let her back rest against the wall. It was cool pressed on her warm skin, but even though her fever had broken, she wasn't sure when. So the deliriousness from the fever has through her a bit backwards with herself metaphorically speaking. Brushing her fingers through her tangled hair - she winced at the pain.

"Where am I exactly?" Niah asked. Niah knew of course, Kakariko Village. But she still needed to play into it.

"Kakariko village if you know where that is."

"How long have I been here for?"

Link shrugged, sitting on the stool next to her - he reached for the cup of water on the nightstand, he handed it to her. "Since the other morning. Found you in the spring barely conscious. You were fine the same night, then suddenly you just… got sick."

Niah nodded. She had been there a couple days, sick. Taking a small sip of the water - she could feel the effect immediately. It soothed her throat as it swam down her gullet.

"You had a jacket on you that tore around the shoulder, so I stitched it up. And the other... Items that you have are with it." He chuckled lightly as he took the cup from her to set it back on the nightstand. "-Like I said, you gave us a scare." Link held out his hand. It was opened as his vambrace shone in the subtle torch light even in early afternoon.

"And you can call me Link." His eyes didn't meet her gaze completely as she pondered wonderiously.

Niah took it without hesitation, "-Niah, you can call me Niah."

Link let off a genuine smile, "It's nice to meet you," He began softly, "-but unfortunately we have some things to discuss. I have a… friend, that advised me to talk to you about it. Just a few questions I swear."

Niah flexed her neck from left to right until she heard the audible pop. Flexing her arms out as well her shoulders in motion let them relieve unnecessary stress from being unused, "Okay," Niah cracked her knuckles. "Shoot your shot."

"How did you end up in the spring? I mean, I do a lot of," Link hesitated, "-traveling, and believe me, I am very good at what I do. So, it would almost be impossible to miss you."

"Okay uh, I just woke up, so please tone down the ego. Number two. I remember I was at my dad's place. I woke up in the middle of the night and saw a weird light, so I followed it." The explanation sounded dumb then, and it still sounds ridiculous.

"Let me get this straight, you woke up and saw a light. You didn't know where it was going or what it belonged to, and simply followed it?" Link stared at her. Doubt glinted in his eyes, "That sounds a bit…"

"Ridiculous? No kidding. I actually thought…" Her thoughts drifted as she recounted the memory. The books, the room. The boxes and Lucy. Niah inhaled before she turned her gaze elsewhere, the sombre thoughts of the funeral was left fresh in her mind, a mark that left her still feeling uneasy.

"I thought I was dying for a moment there."

There was no response - no movement, and no questions. Niah let her hair fall in front of her eyes as she stared at the opposite wall.

"...sorry." Niah's breath was short and as she peered forward words finally began to form, brushing the strand behind her ear. "I'm just, in mourning I guess you could say."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Link stood up from the stool. "I don't mean to invade or anything, but if you're hungry we have food downstairs if you're ready to move around. If not I can-"

"-I can get up, thank you." Niah blurted out, she turned back towards Link's face, suddenly laced with concern and a bit surprised at the outburst but a smile graced his lips once more as he spoke.

"It's alright," he began, "-come downstairs when you're ready."

_/\_

Niah stood on her own two feet not shortly after Link had left. It was hard, that was for sure. But even as she stumbled and caught herself several times she had gotten the hang of her normal body function once more. Even if it had been a few days - she was not weak, she was not in need of any help like a princess.

She rolled her aching shoulders to loosen the cramped muscles - it felt good to be up and around, feet to floor, this gave her time to take mental notes of herself. Niah patted herself down, she felt no extra bruises or cuts, only did she see new small tears in her shirt, but thankfully everything remained intact other than her mental state.

The wood creaked as she started to step towards the door. It was only slightly ajar - mostly for privacy, but when she made her wat out of the frame only to be greeted with something unexpected.

It was noise, a lot of noise.

It wasn't a hard concept for Niah to grasp, truly. But at the time she hadn't fully considered the differences from her life to the next. In the game things were off putting and desolate; cold and barren like hardly a soul lived anywhere. Here though, there was small chatter below. This forced Niah to look around a bit more, broaden her visual horizon so to speak. Looking to her left, then right - the awareness was almost immediate. The hotel smelled like pine, and the walls were decorated with fine - yet torn - tapestries. Adorned with yellow and azure to symbolize the Triforce and royal family. Some had other jewels on it, whilst others had their regalia wilted away with age - time. The wood was also polished and somehow the stone was cleaned and they had been placed in a consistent manner that made the hotel look cleaner and somehow more friendly.

The establishment was not royalty, but it was a fine place to rest.

Looking over the balcony. Few people thronged among the place, mostly weary travels that look deprived of any medical attention. She had forgotten about the invasion, realizing how hard it must be for them to travel in such harsh conditions.

Creeping down the stairs, the atmosphere didn't shift as she thought it would. No eyes shifted in her direction - she was just a normal individual in a vast and different world that wasn't her own. Niah knew she needed to stop dwelling on it though - as implausible as it was - the only thing she could do right now is stick with herself and find a way out.

Niah reached the bottom of the stairs. Yet, through the small groups of people huddled at their own tables - Niah felt eyes on her. They drilled into her and she felt it. She shifted her gaze to the left and there they were. A lone masked personthat gazed over her figure. They were tall from the looks of it, and she knew staring was rude - but something about the figure caught her attention. They felt painfully familiar considering the circumstances, and they didn't shift when they were caught. Didn't glance away; it was almost like they wanted Niah to catch their gaze. It sent a small shiver up her spine though. Too scared to look away, she stood there with a confounded expression.

Niah wasn't sure how long their eyes were met for. It was just seconds more than likely - but suddenly she felt a grip, a tight grip that pulled her from the survey. It had frightened her. Without a second thought - she clenched her fists, a sudden fire ignited in her eyes as adrenaline rushed through her veins - everything moved in slow motion. Fist connected with someone's jaw.

The reaction was almost immediate. The person that had tugged on her shoulder flinched in response. But she finally realizes who was behind her.

It was Link.

"Ow! What the shit?!" Link stared up at her and straightened himself out. He flexed his jaw to relieve himself of the pain and make sure there wasn't much damage that had been done.

"You can't just grab someone like that!"

Silence rang out and Link didn't respond for a moment. "Fine, I'm sorry. Just don't go around punching people." His frown faltered as he readjusted himself, sighing a small twinkle of pain lurked on his face. "I also have your stuff if you want it."

If I want it? Of course I want it.

Niah nodded, as their commotion finally settled down she looked back in the direction where the hidden figure had been sitting, only to realize that they were gone. Not but a weird anomaly in her view - had vanished like whispers in the wind.

Link guided her to the opposite side of the room. It was more secluded, and when she looked upon the many tables that remained vacant due to the low capacity. But the first thing that caught her eyes was the jacket folded on the table. Her phone was next to it, and her boots laid idle on the floor. None of them looked too beat up from the… entrance into Hyrule, and she was thankful that she was able to obtain them again.

Niah hurried to the table. She picked up the jacket and felt the fabric between her fingers. Rough in texture, and there was in fact, a stitch near the shoulder. It fared well with how old it was - she remembered her father getting it when she was little. On the ranch with her uncle and cousins, he had put it on as a joke, he was kind enough to let him keep it.

The rough fabric could be felt as she put it on. Her boots slipped on as well without much of a hassle, and as for her phone; it wouldn't be any use to her anyways. There was no signal, there was no internet. No one to text or talk to - but she turned it on and it also remained unharmed by the water that seemingly flooded them. The phone was tucked in her pocket.

"Thank you."

Link waved it off, "It wasn't a problem really. But I forgot to give you this."

When Niah turned around, she came face to face with the object she was least excited about. The crimson caught her eye almost immediately, and when she took it from Link's hands, carefully holding it as though it were the most fragile thing she could grasp, she brushed her fingers over the ruby's. The broach also remained unharmed.

"It looked pretty valuable, so I kept it on me to make sure no one took it. People are desperate these days to get their hands on something pretty. Especially with caravans being attacked by monsters and outlaws, money is running low for them, they'd take it and sell it." Link explained.

"I…" Niah started but swiftly cut herself off, "... thank you." She pinned the broach to her jacket.

"Don't mention it." He scratched the back of his neck.

They stood like that for a moment, Niah took in the small bits of scenery before Link spoke up once again.

"If you're hungry we have some fruit and stuff, but before we head out-"

"Wait, we? What do you mean 'we'?" Niah's voice perked up. "I hardly even know you."

Link shrugs as she motions Niah to follow him into the kitchen, "I hardly know you but from personal experience, and because a consultant - which is a word I use very loosely - talked me into it."

I had forgotten about Midna for a moment there. Niah nodded in agreement. Link is the hero, Link is meant to save the world from the Twilight invasion - has seen quite a few things so far. So, it made sense. Random woman is found in the Spring of Eldin more than likely after the Twilight was lifted from this area. So, it made sense that Link would want to keep an eye on her. Or at the very least - Midna.

"What if I don't want to go with you?" Niah asked.

Link had picked up an apple from a nearby table and started juggling it in his hands. "Then I'll just have to force you."

"You're going to kidnap me?"

"Exactly," Link took a bite out of the apple, "For… scientific reasons."

"Science is hardly comparable to magic."

He turned around fully mid chew and lazily pointed in her direction, "I'll act like I didn't hear that."

Niah took a pear from a different table and started to eat. She never realized how hungry she was until now, but the fruit tasted odd, almost like a grape in a weird way - but it was good, and for someone who hadn't eaten in a few days, this would be a good start.

"Fine, I'll go, willingly mind you." She finished her pear and set it off to the side. "When do we leave."

Link stopped as he too set his apple off to the side, and turned towards her, "-right now."

"Wait, why so soon? I remember there being other people at my bedside, shouldn't I-"

"Later, but it's a four hour ride to Ordon, and if we want to get there by sundown we need to run quickly."

Niah hadn't realized that it would be so long, in the game it was roughly five or so minutes, and besides that. How did he make it to Kakariko on foot in the first place? Link did mention other riders on the road. Mostly outlaws though - perhaps there were other ranches in Hyrule field other than the desolate wasteland that it is in the game. She hoped for some scenery.

"Now," Link pulled Niah away from her thoughts. "Do you know how to ride a horse?"

"Yeah, I've ridden a horse before."

Link beams, "Good."

_/\_

When they had made their way outdoors, the dryness of Kakariko had hit her like a semi. It was a humid place, sand being kicked everywhere by the wind. But it was bigger and more open. People actually lived in the village, small families and their children, but before Niah could gawk more at the scene in front of her. The extra buildings above the bomb shop and seemingly stretched towards the Goron mines, Link had tugged by the arm she looked away and followed Link's steps.

People looked at her, but when they saw no interest in the new figure - their eyes were set elsewhere. Niah was fearless though as she took the stares at face value. But eventually they made their way to the outskirts of the village where a small stables sat.

Link pointed, "And that's Epona."

Epona was a beautiful mare, truly. She looked as you would expect her too as well, but seeing her up close brough a certain joy to her mind.

Link saddled up first positioning his reigns and getting comfortable. Once he was settled, he held out a hand towards Niah. When Niah connected her foot with the stirrup - she was easily lifted from the ground behind Link, his shield though was an unfortunate situation that she would have to deal with while they rode. For a moment she held onto it to settle herself on the saddle, thankfully it was comfortable enough to sit on without any mishaps.

There was still the shield though.

"We should leave your shield here." Link set Epona into a trot down the dusty path.

"Nope!" He called back as he set Epona into a gallop, Niah had to hold a tight grip for a moment to gain her bearings again. But as she did…

She didn't realize her broach had given a soft glow, and now her destiny was set in stone.