Lines of Destiny

by MysticMew

Hyrule is at war. When two old enemies join to bring true darkness over the land, can the rivaling races once again find together and fight them or is the downfall of Hyrule already written in stone? (Link/Saria) PG-13-R. (Chapter 3 is up!)

3. Forest Mating

Title: Lines of Destiny (3/?)

Status (Version): Alpha

Author: Matthias aka MysticMew (Solarsenshi@gmx.de)

Rating: PG-13 (I guess)

Pairing: Link/Saria, otherwise none specified at the moment

Spoilers: Places and people from TOoT and Majora, but you wouldn't read it when you didn't play the games, right?

Summary: Hyrule is at war. When two old enemies join to bring true darkness over the land, can the rivaling races once again find together and fight them or is the downfall of Hyrule already written in stone?

Chapter Three: Forest Mating

Stock Pot Inn, Clock Town – The Realm of Termina (Link)

Pain… so much… A blinding numbness in my very soul… I could not feel anything except pain… Powers beyond my imagination yanked on my spirit to hurl it away, separate it from my mortal body and doom me forever… I struggled, I really did, but the struggle was an useless one. The power and the pull was too strong and I slowly felt myself drifting… Drifting into the welcoming arms of silence, of freedom and no more suffering. What was there still to fight for? The agony would stop and everything would be alright, so why…?

Peace. Incredible, reassuring peace… Not death, not the relieving oblivion I had craved for moments ago but… peace. Simple like that. A familiar feeling, a voice, a certain flavor, a smell of… forest? A memory flickered before my mind's eye and suddenly I remembered, remembered who I was, why I was like that and I remembered… My eyes snapped open suddenly and I pressed them shut again at the dancing blurs of light greeting me.

Groaning I slowly opened my eyes. The room I seemed to be currently in, was somewhat familiar but I could be mistaken. Yet, I was much to distracted to contemplate my location, rather than all the other impressions my primary senses picked up. The room was illuminated not only by a majority of candles in a variation of red, yellow, green and violet but also by an eerie, yet familiar green glow filling the whole room. Between the candles there was an arrangement of herbs that let the room almost smell like the Sacred Forest Meadow. The green glow was not really lightening it but rather emitting the atmosphere of a blanket. Nice, soft, warm… and definitely magic of a sort I only knew one person could cast.

Said caster stood at the edge of the circle the ring of candles and herbs were aligning. My eyes were locked on her form for several moments as the memories rushed back with unbidden force, striking a serious of conflicting emotions. The long, light-green hair, the light skin, the eyes… It was all Saria. But… This body… She was beautiful. There was simply no better way to describe it since words failed me even in my mind. The long, slender legs and arms, the green, long forest robe pronouncing the elder body perfectly, the incredible aura of determination radiating from her… Determination? About what?

I blinked, regarding my childhood friend and not-so-secret-anymore love with an incredulous look. "Sar…?" The Forest Sage's eyes had never left me from the moment I woke but they softened now, a strange, yet strained smile playing around her lips. My mind was only slowly regaining a sense of actual conscious when Saria started forward and crossed the room in a few quick steps. Somewhere in the back of my awareness I registered that I actually lived and wondered how that could be possible after straining the Fierce Deity's Mask over my physical and mental limits. However, somehow I was here, living, alone with… Saria…

"What is happening?" I breathed, afraid to utter anymore. I felt perfectly fine, MUCH better than I should. And I also did feel that my health was not natural but fueled by magic, probably just for a short amount of time, until whatever Saria had planned was finished. I looked on enchanted as Saria took one of my hands and reached out with the other to stroke my face. The touch send my conscious spinning and all the feelings of the past seven years came back to the surface like a wave crashing through the already strained hull of a ship. Some little voice told me it was wrong to cherish the feeling, to take advantage of it. But… The voice was quickly ignored as I closed my eyes and murmured a soft "Sar…"

The caress stopped and I opened my eyes again, this time trying to sit up. Gentle hands pushed me back down. "Save your strength, you'll need every bit of it." I stared up at the both familiar and at the same time strange face, my own reflected in those blue eyes that held a note of sadness… No, indecision, nervousness, struggling maybe… "What are you going to do?" I asked again, while I noticed that her palms had left my shoulders and were slowly travelling along my body. I admit, I am a bit clueless at times but by now I got a pretty good idea about what exactly she was going to do.

Saria touched a finger to my lips and leaned forward, until our faces were only inches apart. "Do you trust me?" The question was uttered in such a low voice I had to strain to hear it, even with the close proximity. Her face spoke enough for me to decipher the uncertainty that it was laced with. She was afraid. Scared even. And if I thought about it I was not better off. I had the distinct feeling that she felt like betraying me, forcing me into something. I did not need to look around to realize that everything I noticed before was set up to indicate nothing less than a ritual. A ritual to save me. And Saria needed my reassurance to know that I wouldn't be mad at her.

I had no idea what exactly the dire consequences but I knew perfectly well what would be happening after I answered that question. Whatever this ritual meant, the act only inches away from me, in direct reach, would change our lives forever. Nothing would ever be as it was before. She knew I loved her and I was almost certain she did love me, nothing other would justify the willingness with which she offered to sacrifice her innocence. I had hoped for something different, a setting not quite like this. With all my heart I wanted to be with her but not born out of the need, Yet, seeing this almost faltering gaze at my apparent hesitation was enough to make my decision.

"With my life." The smile radiating happiness that greeted me… I would never forget it for the rest of my life. I had not much time to bask in that glow though, as Saria closed the remaining distance between us and I was suddenly vaulted to a world of bliss… coupled with a LOT of magic.

Magic Shop, Swamp (Kotake)

"WHA…" The exclamation was cut off than the wave hit again, this time much, much stronger though. The wave swept like a maelstrom of energy over everything its path crossed, stretching out further and further, never really losing height or altitude. It began consuming the whole of the Termina realm, then broke through the barriers and crashed beyond it. Every life form at least somewhat sensitive would feel an incredible feeling of warmth and love with no apparent reason, every being magically adept would have felt any safeguards melting and even the powerful ones would have to strain to not take the full impact… As was I.

"By the giants, what is THAT?" Quickly I fetched a potion from under the counter and gulped the yellow liquid down in one motion. The mixture was just recently developed in a cooperating effort with the Romani Ranch and their famous milk that temporally enabled someone to use magic in unlimited quantities. This one here was a lot higher than temporally. My mental shields responded immediately to the new power charge and rose up to meet the pressure that was far from unpleasant but also far from endurable over a longer timeframe.

When I was sure my mental shields were stable I grabbed a few more potions, took my broom and closed the shop with a wave of my hand, before I shot out through the chimney. I circled the area a few times to get orientated, which was quite hard with all the magical energy crackling in the air. Eventually my gaze narrowed and I found the location from where the wave had sprung up in the first place. Straight from Clock Town and I think I was quite familiar with one participant in what could only be one particular ritual.

"Should've know it was the boy," I muttered and sped away in the direction of the entrance of the Swamp to fetch Koume. I needn't have to worry. Even without the supply of potions at my disposal, Koume's fire magic should have allowed her to better go with the flow than me. My sister met me halfway and without another word we turned and crossed the distance to the town in remarkable time even for us.

What greeted us was quite a commotion which was located directly around the town's inn. I was relieved that whoever was responsible for that in the first place – and I knew that the boy just didn't have the skill to do so in the first place – had taken the necessarily preoccupations. The minimal distance was held strictly by all inhabitants, due to the faint green glow around the inn even much more than necessary. Which was even better. The only ones coming rather close to the casting circle were two humans – the inn keepers, I remembered – and two very agitated fairies. One was unfamiliar to me and she didn't strike me as from the local kin. The other one was with no doubt little Tatl, the boy's temporary guardian. Somehow that they were here didn't surprise me.

Making a more or less graceful landing, Koume and I hopped down from our brooms and they vanished immediately. "Fine," my sister growled, not taking the time for pleasantness as usual. "What did that boy do now?" Tatl made a helpless gesture. The other fairy shrugged. "We like to know that too. Apparently my charge is wielding some incredible magic but I cannot place what." I regarded her with a long look, when asked more calmly: "What exactly happened?"

The two fairies looked at each other, then the unfamiliar one sighed audible. "All right. First of I am Dalia and I'm Lady Saria's guardian. Saria is the Sage of the Forest in our realm. We have been following a powerful sorcerer here, after he took my charge hostage. We met him at Stone Tower and… fought. Well, Link fought or rather a version of him we all would have not wanted to see." Koume and I looked at each other confused. Tatl spoke up at this point. "You know about Majora, right?" I nodded. Everyone knew about Majora after Skull Kid had made a formal apology at the carnival six years ago. And mostly everyone here knew of the courageous, young boy who had fought so hard to save a land that wasn't even his. "During our final confrontation, we obtained a powerful artifact, called the Fierce Deity Mask." I… gulped. Koume simply stared long and hard…

It was all making sense now. The boy had used the mask in battle, probably even combined with an equally strong magical item from his realm and the power had gotten out of control, threatening to whisk his conscious away. His soul would probably have been forever lost. I saw the explosion of temper on my sisters face and quickly cut in, making sure that the two fairies were listening, closely.

"From what I can conclude and from what I…we already felt, there's only one possibility what is going on in there." I made a gesture at the inn. The fairies were silent for a moment as was literally the whole town. Neither really dared to ask the question. I answered it anyway. "They are forming a Soul Link." Dalia took a very deep breath and closed her eyes, she didn't let it out for a long time, Tatl simply stared ahead, not saying anything. I think, they both already suspected. The boy's horse gave a snort…

Chamber of Sages, Sacred Realm (Nabooru)

The Chamber of Sages usually was a quiet place. No, let me rephrase it. It was utterly soundless. Every word spoken came right from the mind, every voice you heard, you heard right in your mind and every sound was barely a whisper yet loud and clear enough to understand. Meetings between the Sages – as scarcely as they were – had been mostly hushed and without any signs of conflict. Either because two sages weren't even present or they'd just ignore each other and the rest along with it. Mostly. Certainly not today…

*What do you mean, we can't just run off like idiots?* yet another shout from the massive Fire Sage bellowed through the mind link, binding all six of us together. The addressed Water Sage shot back an annoyed glare. "Are you so dense or what? We are not going to help them, if we all went out and go looking over every existing realm! We have no idea, where they are and even if, what good would it do? I at least know that I would never forgive myself, if Saria's people would be hurt during her absence. We have our responsibilities here, Link has his responsibility wherever she is and he WILL bring her back.* The massive Goron growled deeply, his eyes reflecting only barely restrained disgust and outrage at the Zora Princess. *I am not going to let my Sworn Brother down.*

*Don't you have any trust in Link?*

It went like this for almost five minutes now. At the beginning there were feeble attempts from Impa, Rauru, Zelda and myself to somehow bring the conversation back to the topic but we soon realized how futile that proved to be. It really would have been better to hold the meeting with just us four. The only problem was that Ruto did effectively made her responsibility clear to secure the forest and therefore we had to include her in the meeting. Which had the direct consequence of inviting Darunia as well because otherwise we could have been accused of taking sides… Politics sucked, I tell you. It was much easier to single-handily lead a tribe of Gerudo warriors.

"You stuck-up, little brat, you dare to speak about trust? You are a murderer, thousands died by your command, thousands were slaughtered, innocents… that…" The Zora Princess shot to her feet… Well, she would have, if she hadn't been already standing, secured on her platform. As it was she just seemed to struggle for a moment against invisible bonds and then relaxed again. Her features became the perfect definition of ice cold, wouldn't it be for the deeply suppressed hurt that I had detected quite some time now in the young princess.

"And you haven't?" If a Goron could ever manage to react at all from a slap, either physically or mentally, I think Darunia just did. Ruto held her cold, monotone as she continued. "I guess, it doesn't matter that Zora corpses were withering from dehydration when your people blockaded the bridge to Gerudo Valley? I guess it doesn't matter that hundreds of the old kin risk their live for a cause so pointless that it nears blasphemy. I guess it doesn't matter, that the most innocent creatures in this land were slaughtered and nearly extinct through our carelessness." Somewhat during the almost soft spoken words her mental voice had almost dropped down to a level where it actually couldn't be understood. I was not sure if anyone else could clearly here all of the next statement, but as the Spirit Sage I could. *I am tired, Darunia. Do we have to tear our land apart over an obvious misjudgment of the fate of a single…*

*DO NOT MENTION HIM! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO…* Ruto looked up and for a moment the atmosphere in the chamber that was ALWAYS stable seemed to drop down to arctic degrees. *I have every right to. I lo…* A flare of red aura led me instinctively flinch for no apparent reason but the sheer hostility in Darunia's aura. Thankfully Rauru took that moment to finally intertwine. "SILENCE!" And yes, he actually said this.

However, the roar of order completely lost its dramatic effect as it was that exact moment that everyone present visibly gasped in mental shock when a huge wave of magical energy soared through the best warded and most untouchable place in all of creation. A sense of utmost peace, love and a hint of creation was carried with the wave, so intense I had no time at all to prepare. I could feel Link's energy but I could also feel Saria's. Yet the Forest Sage's was somewhat disordered – not surprisingly, guessing that she made the same transformation as her kin – but there was a touch of… Goddess. Farore definitely. And the sensation the wave created in me… I could only think of one thing that possible could have happened…

I looked up to meet Zelda's gaze, who had been silent up to now. Hyrule's princess simply nodded and looked down at her hand where the Triforce of Wisdom was glowing softly. Glowing softly was not really what could be used as a decent term for the green, vacant forest emblem practically bursting with light.

After a moment the wave passed and continued onward on its way. A lasting silence had been cast over the chamber that felt even worse than the trading of insults from our local warlords. I wanted to say something and so wanted Impa but we both kept silent in fear that anything from the wrong person's mouth could shatter the unstable peace. Finally Zelda spoke, calmly and including both Darunia and Ruto in her gaze. "That matter, I think, is concluded. Let us now proceed to the actual cause of this meeting." The actual cause was Ganondorf's new freedom. Not much more pleasant of a topic.

Stock Pot Inn, Clock Town – Termina (Saria)

Slowly my world shifted back into focus and it was the most wonderful greeting from reality I've ever received. I admit, I still had to get used to this new body and waking up in a form two times your former size does feel a little awkward. That tiny detail though was promptly pressed away by the incredible feeling of being held in two strong arms, head resting on a muscular – very much bare – chest… Had Farore granted me access to heaven, she couldn't have done a better job. Though this paradisiacal setting had come to pass through rather traumatic circumstances and I did worry how my people were faring, I was right where I ever wanted to be. With Link, loved, his… and he was mine. Finally.

"Any more glowing and you can light the whole inn." I looked up sharply, wondering how long he had been awake. His eyes were sparkling playfully, but there was also the reflection of love, unconditional love and… awe? I swatted him playfully on the arm dropped to his side and Link grinned. We stayed like that for awhile, listening to each other's synchronized breathing – even the heartbeat was in allegiance. This was a direct side effect of the Soul Link. In fact our very life force was now depended on each other. As long as one lived the other would. It did not quite go to the extension of shared pain but we could, if we wanted to relieve the other of some.

I looked up again, then I felt Link stroking my hair, idly playing with a few loose wisps of green hair as he studied me intently. His eyes held something indecipherable, as if he seemed to deeply contemplate an issue of great importance. The uncertainty that had rested since the beginning of the ritual and was thought to be smashed by his words of trust, began to stir slightly. But before I could open my mouth to voice a question, Link put the emotion back to sleep, when light fingers wandered over my cheek. His eyes suddenly were full of emotion, this brief sparkle of awe again… "You're beautiful," he choked out his voice a perfect reflection of his eyes.

I felt my eyes water, as I began to finally become aware that all this feelings touched my heart in more ways than my own reaction. They were not only mine, they were his too. The Soul Link was an ancient ritual, usually performed by lovers who did not want any barrier between them. But the knowledge became more and more lost over the thousand and thousand of years. Eventually only the Sages, some sorcerers and the Shiekah new about the capabilities of the bond, aside from this most people were not magical-versed enough anymore to perform the necessary ritual. I was and I had not hesitated. To secure Link's soul in time, there simply had been no other way. With time, maybe, yet I had the feeling that somehow this event was meant to take place.

"So, you do not regret it?" The question was rhetorical and we both knew it. There was no need for such travesty with the link intact. We would always feel the others innermost feelings and that wouldn't be possible when it wouldn't be working. Still, I needed to ask anyway, if only to reassure myself in non-supernatural ways. Link smiled deeply. "Why should I? I am right where I want to be." He pulled me up lightly and I complied without resentment. Our lips met in a soft, yet still passionate battle of tongues. Our skin brushed against the others and seemed to ignite the fire that had burned… some time ago anew. I did not know how much time had passed, how long I slept and this reluctantly let me pull away. Glancing to one side, I did not search for the clock immediately but checked the magic field. The air was still somewhat charged but the protective forest glow was gone. I sighed, both thankful and a bit woeful about the implications. Thankfully because it indicated the ceremony was finished and Link out of danger, woeful because it eventually meant that we had to get back up. We couldn't keep the customers outside after all and with the level of high quality magic evolved, I was sure we had stirred up quite a commotion.

I gave Link one last peck on the cheek, before getting up. "Come on, lazy head, we have to get up sometime." I put an extra bounce in my step and made sure to show off enough of my naked form. The Hylian boy never ceased to follow me until I lazily stretched and put on my clothing. If I had done it any longer, he would surely have had a nosebleed… I giggled wholeheartedly and Link blushed furiously. He groaned and sat up, fetching his clothing from the chair beside the bed. "And there goes my illusion, that there always was an adult mind in this child's body…" I gaped at that but quickly recovered by demonstratively tying the robe in a very slow pace that seemed to immediately enchant him again. "Well, do you want the child back…?" I really began to enjoy it but took pity when he sputtered and tried to form a coherent answer. I winked at him and turned away.

"Really, Link. Let me have a little fun, okay? We certainly didn't have much of it lately." As in ever since he left for his quest that eventually became his life. The years that followed had been hard to endure. I saw him growing up and us growing further and further apart, despite his best intentions to hold onto our friendship. Then Ganondorf escaped from his prison and for a horrible brief moment, I thought that everything would end in disastrous misery, as I had always feared. However, in the end, the King of Evil had – even with all the chaos he had and surely would spread into our already torn world – did the one thing that would probably haunt him to the rest of his hopefully short life. Ganondorf had brought us the only thing that hadn't been possible before. The hope for a new future, together and happy. How ironic.

Strong arms enfolded me from behind and I melted back into the embrace I so dearly had wanted for a long time. The soft words whispered in my ears, would surely be everything to make Ganondorf snarl in frustration. "I love you."

Chamber of Sages, Sacred Realm (Rauru)

It was certainly one of this days where it was not good to be a Sage.

A silence, lasting much longer than the one after the echo of the Soul Link, had engulfed the ancient halls, existing in the center of all existence. There was no word spoken or thought after the conclusion of another mental fight between Darunia and Ruto hardly ten minutes into a decent discussion of matters concerning Ganondorf's recent freedom or what we ought to do about the Kokiri problem. I was not quite sure what actually transpired and I meant to believe that not even the two Sages were themselves. Darunia had left after some ominous, soft spoken words from Ruto in a fit of barely controlled rage and I didn't bother to hope he'd come back. Ruto took her leave shortly afterwards, silent and with a look of deep emotional hurt and ice cold, barely visibly but outright scaring loathing in her features. Yet, I had not been oblivious to the signs of tiredness. It had been a long time since I had seen the Zora Princess in person but it seemed that whatever resolve she had built up to participate in this farce of a civil war was weakening considerably.

"Impa?" The voice of the Master Sage, Princess Zelda, brought me out of my silent review and with decades worth of experience I managed not to seem startled at the sudden change of atmosphere and sound. The Princess had discarded the sound barrier with not so much as a thought. There was no need for formality anymore, the motion barrier was gone too. I did not like to revert to such tactics anyway. However, with Darunia and Ruto ready to launch at each other at first sight… This had become an exclusive meeting again, of the same group as always, just minus Saria and – as most of the time present – Link. The missing two were save though, that much the intense magic wave had shown.

Zelda had turned to her confidante. "You did say, you found something of importance?" Impa nodded wearily, massaging her temples from the headache we probably all had received from this last mental screaming match. With a swift gesture the Shadow Sage produced a leather-bound book out of thin air. The ancient green leather was familiar with all of us, but it actually was a legacy of the Shiekah. The Book of Mysteries, Mudora. It was filled with endless secrets of Hyrule, as well as millennia of recorded prophecies and legends. Impa opened the book with a determinacy and sureness that it had surprised any lesser being than the Seven Sages or the Hero of Time.

"Let me recite:

Seven years have passed

Seven years have come anew

Things change, things remain

But the run against the path of destiny still is in vain

An incident not caused by the ones which fight, a war outbreaks

Darkness will rise, light will fade

However the final decision is not yet made

Two will join

Seven will fall

Fourteen will rise anew

Beware of the shadow that is light

And of the light that is darkness

To bring peace to their worlds

Dawn will come over the land once again

The joined hearts and souls bringing new light

It all depends on… the lines of destiny

This seems to fit the situation just fine and I tried to figure out some things. While a lot of details have yet to be undiscovered, I don't really have to explain who is meant with 'the seven that will fall'." She was met with grim looks and continued.

"I've came to a conclusion about 'the fourteen that will rise'. But let me take a different approach. After further examination I think, I can agree with your conclusion, of how exactly Ganondorf escaped his prison." Nabooru looked at the Shadow Sage curiously. "So, he DID have outside help? But who, not even the lowest Gerudo would step as low as…" Impa held up a hand and the Spirit Sage stopped. "Not outside help. My guess is, that he joined forces with a powerful entity while in hell. A ghost, a spirit, anything… I could not feel any other evil presence when Ganondorf set foot into this land and I'm sure you all could too." I nodded at that, indicating her to go on. "Yet, Zelda and I agree with each other that his aura was fairly off then we encountered him. And he showed unknown and incredible mental abilities while Link engaged him in combat. All this I think points towards my theory that there is another presence inside of him at work."

Silence once again, hang in the air, as each of us contemplated this. Impa's reasoning surely let no doubt on her conclusion. I could certainly not have come up with a better explanation – quite frankly, I hadn't. "What does this has to do with the prophecy?" I inquired. The Shadow Sage made a sweeping hand gesture, including the whole pedestal that we were currently standing on. "That there are more than us seven. I am hard pressed to believe that Ganondorf's ally comes from a different world, yet quite similar to ours. The book speaks about fourteen, this is two times as much as we are now. Which means, that somewhere are Sages that also represent our position and element. And we have to find those."

Again a few moments of silence. The interpretation was a bit vague but it seemed to be the best one I could think of myself. But that whole line of reasoning, left me with a very disturbing feeling. Finally, as if reading my mind, Zelda mumbled almost only to herself: "But there is only one world we know about that is similar to ours." This time nobody spoke for a long time as everybody more or less realized what Impa was subtly hinting about the Evil Sorcerer's ally. A really, really disturbing thought.

Somewhere in Termina (Ganondorf)

As it was I did agree with young Saria's thoughts. I might have not been able to know or hear them but could quite effortlessly picture very well what she and Link would be thinking now. Slipping from the grasps of death, coming out on top why I was left with nothing but fury and rage, again. Events had progressed far too quickly to make sense of at first and after the multiple defeat, I had hurried to get away. While I did not fear them to come back anytime soon – seeing the state Link's soul was in as they left –, I was rather weakened by the onslaught of my infuriated archenemy, the stripping of my Triforce part and learning just how strong the Forest Sage really was. Drained like that I could not hold the barrier I had quickly established to hinder the area's guardian to intertwine and I was in no state to face a deity.

Majora had provided me with a hidden place, undetected and unreachable in the deepest parts of this realm. As it turned out, the place had been one of his studies when he was still alive. A sparse setting, compared to the immense structure of the ancient stronghold but it would do. The place was fine enough to plot our next move and provided the necessary equipment to bring my strength back… as much as was possible.

The loss of the Triforce of Power was certainly shocking. Yet, that didn't trouble me much. There was only that much I could achieve with the celestial remain that I couldn't do out of my own power. These days the fragment had only served to boost my natural powers and these powers had grown to a truly frightening degree during my time at hell, since the Triforce did not seem to function there. No, what worried me more was the reckless attitude of the boy and the way he produced that last trump card. Without a care in the world for his own health. The strength of his feelings impressed me but also it gnawed on me that I hadn't realized the obvious earlier. Now, there would simply be no chance more to separate them. A shame, really, Saria would have made a formidable queen after I would have broken her spirit. That was impossible now.

I snarled impatiently, watching the pair leave the inn and face the gathering of people outside, among them this realm's version of my faithful Twinrova Sisters. It was a wonder I actually got through with a scrying spell, judging the sheer amount of holy magic in the atmosphere. While the protective barrier and the overwhelming, charged air, in the near proximity where the ritual had taken place was gone, everything was still heavily loaded with pure mana.

The city was becoming neutral territory again after the effects of the Soul Link ceremony had worn off. Every being of Evil that would have attempted to come as much as in a few miles radius of the town would have simply withered away. No resistance, no nothing. They would have just been gone… I was glad I didn't follow my first instinct to follow the pair and even though weakened finish them off. It had seemed so easy, Link was on the verge of dying and Saria was out of her mind. I had actually been more concerned about the Forest Sage and her Farore-tainted abilities back then. In the end I was glad I retreated. By the time I would have recovered enough strength and followed them, I would probably have been caught dead on in the dimensional wave. No, thank you. I really didn't need that. Just a pity because of the girl…

Be it as it was. They would pay anyway. And I was about to give them a little taste of what exactly I thought about their little performance at the tower. *Are the troops in place.* I nodded, not at all bothered by the sudden mental utterance after a very long time. I was sure Majora had mulled over the events but was conscious enough to follow the progress. "Yes, and it is now safe to move. The effects of the ritual have worn off." I lifted a hand over the glowing ball which presented the scene in Clock Town and murmured a few words, giving the assembled creatures hiding right behind acceptable distance from the city borders the order to attack.

"Well then, let's see, if they can live up to the union they just claimed. Otherwise it might be the shortest one in its own history." We both know better than to think even this much of opposition would bring down the Hero of Time and an avatar of Farore's. No, that would be a rather lucky coincidence. Still, we could learn what exactly they were made off. I had not witnessed the boy's progress over the last seven years and while I still had his older self from the closed-off future in mind, that was a different one. This Link had actually lived the seven years, steeled by the experience of a civil war and actually with an adult mind. I would have to be more careful, now that my initiate plan had failed. *Now, now, you mean, we have to be careful.* Of course, we had to be careful…

(Tatl)

As a fairy I was fairly familiar with the concept of the Soul Link. After all we were more spirit than flesh. And a Soul Link was the closest thing to a spiritual and most likely eternal marriage two people… or better magical-versed creatures could engage into. The concept, though lost over the years, was still very much alive among fairies. Even if only in lesser forms, a Soul Link was the primarily ritual to unite two or more – yes, that was possible – of our kin. Still nothing had prepared me for the sheer intensity of the backlash. They might be humans, they might be powerful but that… Awesome, really. It was a bitter irony, I thought, that I was able to witness this merely twenty-four hours after my brother and friend had left this plane. Tael had… I shook my head, warding of the unbidden images of a female, orange-glowed fairy. I would have to deal with that later… but probably sooner than I liked.

"I think they are coming out now." The observation from Dalia didn't surprise me much. The subsiding of the ritualistic aura was enough to indicate the end of the ceremony about a quarter hour ago. "Not that anyone of us familiar with the process would blame them for taking their time." A slow grin crept into my face and I tried to picture the boy-grown-man that I knew in that kind of a situation and could not suppress the light chuckle. Dalia shot me a cross look. "Oh, is all that just a joke to you. It is my charge in there, pressed into something she doesn't…" Letting out an annoyed sigh, I shook my head in disbelief. "Oh, come on. You know exactly that both of them more than WANTED to do this, even if under pressure, and don't you think they deserve happiness? At least I think they do, at least someone…" My voice trailed off, when my thoughts traveled back to Tael…

A tiny – well, not really tiny for our dimensions – hand touched my cheek and I looked up to find Dalia hovering in front of me sad expression in her face. "I am truly sorry. That was uncalled for. Of course, you are right. Both of them have seen and experienced over the years. I just don't like the circumstances." I gave a weak smile and took her retreating hand in mine. "Believe me, neither do I. However, sometimes you just have to take things as they come. If you don't, you might let the one-time opportunity to make your life happy pass." I was trying not to let emotion leak through this statement but Dalia seemed not to be fooled as she looked at me thoughtfully.

Luckily Link and Saria's appearance in the front door of the inn saved me from further indulging this awkward moment. We both turned around and hurried over to our charges, standing there arm in arm. After making sure that everything was all right with them and they were feeling fine, I flew back a bit and looked at the two closely. Link had his arm dropped around slightly shorter girl's shoulders, while hers was slung around his waist. He stood rather protectively and his eyes kept turning back to the crowd that had gathered outside the inn. The prospect of giving some smug remark in my friend's direction was quickly discarded as I noticed that both of them were somewhat uncomfortable.

I whirled around and let my glow spike for effect. "Ok people, the show is over! Buzz off and bother someone else's privacy!" The effect would probably have done more, if I had been a twenty feet long dragon and not a tiny pixie… Oh well. The two witches were already doing a remarkable job of scattering the mob and I didn't even want to know what stories they served the superstitious humans. While this was happening, Saria had disengaged from Link's closeness and was now quietly talking with Anju, probably reassuring her that no damage had been done to their establishment – except the constant feeling of comfort and peace their customers would feel for the upcoming month or so, not that they would mind though.

"Tatl?" I spun around to face Link again and stopped upon seeing the expression on his face. I think, I knew what was coming but I really had no intention of repeating the brief talk with Saria's fairy. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the witches approach in our direction. Thankful for the distraction, I pointed at them. "See, you attracted quite a lot of people here. Those two are practically burning to speak to you and your little girlfriend." Link, however, was surprisingly not so easily side-tracked and I briefly chided myself for forgetting that I was dealing with an about seven years older version of the boy I once knew. Said boy turned his head for a short moment and shrugged nonchalantly. "They probably want to talk to Sar anyway, she did initiated the whole thing after all." His intense gaze fell back on me and I prepared for the inevitable sappy fest to come… "Tatl, about your…"

It was just my luck, that just at that moment all hell broke loose. People screamed, guards could be heard barking orders and horns sounded loud and clear through the air. Koume and Kotake stopped in their approach to float up a few feet in the air, high above all rooftops. It was unnecessary to state what they saw, when clear shouts of a massive monster attack on the city was more than enough to state the obvious. Link groaned and gave me a sour look. "Why me?"

As if on a cue the whole mob that had already retreated a bit, scattered and fled in directions of their homes and working places to barricade themselves. Shrieks and the sound of battle could be hurt long before the first wave of creatures came into view at the eastern gate – which was not so surprising since the union had taken place here. Saria had wisely ushered the inn keepers back into the building and was at Link's side in a flash, Dalia trailing close behind. Link unsheathed his sword and looked first at Saria and than me. "Ready?" I nodded grimly and prepared for some good, old-fashioned battling that I hadn't done in some time. At least that would take my mind off of less pleasant thoughts for the moment.

(Link)

Not really sure, if I should be annoyed at the interruption or glad that I didn't have to confront Tatl over the still fresh issue of her dead brother and friend, I turned to face the sound of approaching menace. A sound that could be mistaken for a stampede of charging bulls. Through the gates I could see several dozen creatures just coming in from this part of the town and judging by the sound of it, that wasn't the only direction they had chosen to come from.

I turned to Saria, searching through my subspace pocket meanwhile. "And there I thought, he learned his lesson. But he must have been pretty pissed off at me, smashing his plans again and all that." My… girlfriend – Lover? Mate? – snickered a little and I was a bit caught off guard at how serious she sounded with her next comment. "I'm almost inclined to thank him." I tilted my head curiously, giving her a disbelieving stare. She gestured behind her at the inn. Though I admit I never was smart at figuring out her half-answers, the meaning was pretty obvious. As I finally found what I was looking at – namely the Bunny Hood – my face changed into a grim expression. "Well then, let's show him just how thankful we are."

Saria glanced at me a funny, considering commenting at the funny look the rabbit ears surely gave me but the glare I shot her way silenced her. "Right," she nodded grimly. And without further words we rushed forward to engage the first creatures that broke through the guards. It happened to be four small Lizalfos and as soon as they stepped into the city grounds my blade was already singing a sweet song of their deaths. The Master Sword whirled through the air, slice left and right, upwards and downwards and very, very deadly.

A shot of green narrowly missed my head and I looked up from the last of the four lizards to see that the guards had already been run over and soon we would be facing the real avalanche of enemies. Saria's magic ball took out four Stalkids within the blink of an eye but already other creatures were taking their place. Not only ones I had encountered in Termina during my first visit but also ones that I could have sworn only existed in Hyrule. Otherwise… I should not really be surprised. Rauru once described Termina as a mirror image to reality. Everything that was in Hyrule would eventually be here. The circumstances, the history, basically the why and when were different, but not the who and what – excluding historical key events.

I heard commotion behind me and turned to see a group of guards approaching. Spinning the Master Sword like a staff I deflected a magical blast on instinct rather than with the Mirror Shield. "Get to the other gates we handle this here!" I called back and for emphasis pulled out a bombchu, letting it race right into the middle of a mob, scattering the invaders. The guards hesitated for a moment, then finally turned and ran up the stairs to the northern gate. Under other circumstances I would have more than welcomed their help but Saria and I alone held more power than probably the whole military here, so they were needed elsewhere. Koume and Kotake had split up also, rushing off to the west and south gate, which left us pretty much alone. Fine with me. I didn't have a decent, satisfying fight in awhile.

Reaching into my subspace pocket I withdraw the gilded Kokiri Sword and tossed it to Saria who caught the strengthened blade easily. We had practiced frequently, with Saria teaching me to get better control over my magic that was fueled by Farore, and me sharpening her fighting skill. Little Saria was a good student and while she never really liked to fall back on violence, with the war going on around there she saw the necessity to at least be prepared. Which came in handy now.

Trusting Saria that she could take care of herself, I focused on six massive Stalfatos who came into view behind a smaller group. I ignored the latter and raced right past them, not giving the skeleton warriors time to even focus on me. My vertical strike caught it under the chin and the extra force I laid into the blade was enough to rip it right from the rest of the body. Not pausing I rushed the next one, falling into a false routine of just being able to hit his shield. Waiting for the right moment, I was right into the knights defense and a quick horizontal combo to the core left only bones to fall to the ground behind me, already burning away.

Again I was amazed at the power of the Bunny Hood to still – after all this time – boost my speed and jump abilities two times their normal force. Barely touching the ground again from the last strike that was delivered in mid-flight, I shot high up right into the face of the next Stalfatos. The skeleton raced its shield to defend itself but it was already too late as my outstretched arm shot forward to take his head off. That was then a sharp pain raced through my left arm and I realized that one of the other three remaining undead warriors must have caught up with my speed. Gritting my teeth, I faltered only a brief moment in my vicious slash but that was enough for the former helpless enemy to deflect my attack. Using his shield to bounce me back, I once again landed on my back and looked around.

The four Stalfatos were circling me, obviously unconcerned that I had just discarded two of their companions so easily. I grinned mischievously. The Master Sword began to glow in my hand as I fueled some of my Triforce magic into it. With a swishing sound the ancient blade left my hand like a sharp projectile. The Stalfatos in its path dodged but quickly found out that the weapon had turned into a very deadly boomerang when it ripped right through its back. Meanwhile I had pulled out the Biggoron Sword that I had retrieved from its namesake some years ago. Not bothering with diverting swings, I stood for a brief, time-freezing moment, then lashed out in a vicious spinning slash, energy practically ripping apart shields and bones alike.

Catching the Master Sword with one hand I turned around to see Saria discard a group of Lizalfos. My battle-trained eyes quickly spotted the Beamos coming from one side but it was too late to call out a warning. Frozen in shock I watched as its eye flashed red, preparing to launch the powerful laser beam. Time seemed to slow down and I could see the energy building, building… and suddenly fizzling out as a light arrow stroke the creature right in the pupil, ripping right through the stone shell. Following the direction of the shot, I caught sight of a girl with auburn-red hair, cascading down her back, and an upraised bow, standing in the pathway between the western part of the town and this one. There was no mistaking since I had met her doppelganger regularly in my time, that this girl was beyond doubt Romani.

(Saria)

Several moments later – after I dispatched my remaining opponents of course – I was still fuming at myself for being so wide open for an attack that would have beyond any doubt killed me. Alright, I was not much of a convinced fighter like Link but he did teach me fighting skill as much as I did teach him magic and focus. I had lost my focus totally, this attacker had totally slipped past my guard, so caught up I had been in my fight with opponents I should have finished already by then. Truth be told, this grown body was exciting and I had been relishing in the feel, grace and strength of it. What would it have been then I had faced Ganondorf like this? The power cursing through me was intoxicating yet pronounced and not really consuming. I had lost myself completely in the sensation of finally being more than just a spiritual guardian to my own area of Hyrule. Something you should not do in a fight like this.

But then again, that had not really stunned me. It was more the spitting image of ranch-girl Malon – in this realm named Romani –, holding a bow which just shot a LIGHT Arrow right through the monsters deadly eye. Only Link and Zelda knew how to cast it properly. I think I could, but the bow never was my strong point. There should be NO chance at all that a mere girl like her was able to learn the technique and yet the arrow had certainly not been Link's. I had gotten a brief, closer look on Romani then and something in her aura had sent a spike of electricity through my body that I had not been able to decipher.

It would have to wait anyway, since my danger senses kicked in this time at least and I whirled around just in time to dive to one side, as a huge Dodongo breathed a stream of fire at me, backed up by his two companions. Shifting my motion a little at realizing this, I fell back slightly and cast a shield around me and Romani who was taken a little by surprise. The strain was visible on my face, I guess, fire was not actually the best element to counter with my nature magic. I was really grateful as an arrow whizzed beside me and hit the front creature in the tail, effectively cutting his attack short.

Link was beside us in a flash. "Those seem to be the last. Thank god, they are not in a pit. The last time I thought two of them down a hole was really nasty." He didn't point out that the three beasts were rather stuck in the entrance, giving not much chance for close combat. My mate – it felt good to even think it – looked at Romani for a moment. "Can you cast Ice Arrows?" The ranch girl nodded swiftly, drew another arrow in the string of her bow. "Good." He reached into his pocket and withdrew another item. The Fairy Sword. I had always wanted to train with it but it had grown with Link and unlike the Kokiri Sword which had the strange ability to suit its user, it would not return back. He handed it to me now and I guess it had to be said to my credit that I managed to not tremble as I took it, barely.

"This will not be fun. We could lure them in but I'd rather not take the chances with the fire in the city." Both us were probably reminded of the image of the burning Lost Woods right now. "Saria and I are taking the two behind the one in the middle. You, Romani, wait for my mark to shoot, not earlier, not later." The other girl set her face in a grim mask but let loose with a grin anyway. "You got it, Grasshopper." I grimaced at the nickname but kept the comment on my lips to myself.

On an unspoken signal Link and I shot forward. I kept his pace through my own boost of magic. I might have failed once but that was the only crucial mistake I would allow myself today. It DID mean something to me that Link was proud of me and the performance from before would just not do. I had not been training with my mate for so long to not recognize his plan of attack and barely the blink of an eye before the target of our reckless-seeming run we broke away. The front Dodongo had already taken the bait though. "Now!" Romani's arrow, accompanied by a chilling wind current hit home right at the moment the creature was preparing to launch his fire attack. The sudden shock and the freezing magic did the trick pretty nicely and although normally resistant to ice magic the fire-breathing dragon literally froze up.

It might be mentioned in their favor that the other two were two surprised by the action taking place in front of them, but my target had not even time to notice me behind him, as I channeled high-level magic into the fairy-forged blade. The two different sets of mana mingled quite nicely and this was probably one of the first times a Dodongo had been taken down by ONE sword slash.

Link's opponent got one wild and uncontrolled swing with his tail in after the massive Biggoron Sword nearly cut his tail of without the creature actually exploding! That was all it got though as the second strike came unexpected when Link backflipped two times. Once over the lashing tail, landing on the Dodongo's back, twice to ram his blade home into the offending tail, hard.

Something shattered behind us and we could see the remains of a Fire Arrow burning away at the first Dodongo's prison and the creature itself, its natural resistance not quite made for this kind of temperature difference.

A long silence fell over the eastern part of the town then, as we listened to the sounds of battle subsiding slightly from the rest of the town, which was a good sign all things considered. We both looked at Romani and she did look back at us. Finally shrugging under our inquiring gazes, the ranch girl said: "I've been training?"

None of us believed that really, however, that was a mute point anyway since something finally kicked in. Maybe it was that my senses were still that sharpened from battle or something completely different, but I remembered that we had to get back to Hyrule. Quick. Otherwise the Kokiri might not survive the agony and unfamiliarity of maturity. The look Link gave me, told me he had thought of the exact same thing or maybe just read my intentions through the Soul Link.

There was this implacable feel that we had to go, now and quickly. Link stepped closer to me and took my hand in his. When he looked up and his eyes rested on Tatl for a brief moment… "We have to go, now. If you want to, you can…" The fairy shook her tiny head silently and flashed a little, very awkward smile that was more false than anything else. "No, I… have to take care of some personal things first." I looked over to my own guardian fairy, while Link contemplated his answer. Dalia was also quiet worried over the other fairy, that much I could tell and that was only understandable. However, there was no time to lose. I could feel the pull and the gentle but urgent calling from Hyrule. Something was going on there that absolutely needed my assistance.

"Okay," Link reluctantly nodded. "We will be back anyway since Ganondorf is still here… Take care, will you?" Tatl's nod was noticeable short but enough confirmation that I needed for the moment. I didn't want to be cruel to the fairy's situation, yet the safety of my own kin had a higher priority right now. Without waiting for any further words, I concentrated, letting my awareness drift, reaching out to include Epona in the spell and within the blink of an eye, we were gone.

Golden Heavens (Nayru)

Where the heck was that troublesome excuse for a younger sister now? I rarely was one to lose my patience. After all I was the Goddess of Wisdom, the perfect example of modesty and calm… At least as long as it didn't involve my less levelheaded sisters. Din and her temper was often hard enough to deal with but at least you could expect it. Farore though was much less predictable and tended to stretch the rules that bound us with the mortal realm on a frequent basis, especially lately. There was no telling what she was up to now.

I wandered into another hall and spotted Din at one of the windows that could also reflect events from down on Earth. I frowned deeply. She seemed to intently study something, which was odd since normally my youngest sister never managed to sit still for more than a few minutes. Maybe the meditations she had forced herself to undergo in her search for a new Triforce bearer had strengthened her resolve. Maybe…

"Din dear. Have you any idea where your sister is? I wanted to talk about a few things." Din didn't look up from her study and just waved in a dismissing gesture. "Said she found some way to keep a better eye on her charges." Blinking at that, I walked over to Din and stopped behind her to see what she was looking at. The scene showed a forest-enclosed area that was most probably outside of Hyrule, since the Lost Woods were mostly burned down. Walking through the deep woods was a little girl and bluish-glowing fairy. The girl, not older than seven or eight at best, flowing, deep green hair, emerald eyes and wore a loose but fitting piece of verified Kokiri clothing. I had seen enough already.

"Is she crazy?!?" I erupted into an unusual temper fit that probably even impressed Din. "What about the rules? She can't…" Din waved with one hand and the observation scene faded out of view. The Goddess of Power huffed. "Rules? Sister, you seem to forget that Ganondorf and Majora are trespassing to our borders with this kind of an alliance. The rules do not say we are not allowed to do anything to defend ourselves." She turned around and looked back out of the window as if the scene was still there. "It's not as if Farore is directly intertwining anyway. Maybe that way it will be easier to find my avatar. Not to forget about the pact with the Giants."

I frowned again, not quite ready to agree yet. Once again my younger sister was walking a dangerously small path between binding rules and personal freedom. While what Din said was basically true, I never was one to manipulate fate, one way or another. Still there was a prophecy to uphold. The stage was set anyway. We could not recall Farore without totally endangering the balance. No, let her have her fun, maybe it really would work out in the end.

I opted to say nothing but it wasn't really necessary. Din and I just stood there looking out over the heavens, wondering there this whole mess would lead to.

Realm of Hyrule, Kokiri Forest (Zelda)

The weaving of magic was almost complete and I could feel the peace and security return to the Lost Woods as well as Kokiri Forest inside. Standing on the edge of the highest ledge together with Impa and Nabooru I watched on in rapt fascination as spirals of emerald circled down in a slow but steady rhythm, returning new life to the burned and desecrated ground. Trees withered and for lack of a better term simply dead began to suddenly spread new foliage. The glowering shield we Sages had raised still slightly visible was beginning to hum with new, potent energy. The green and fluorescent light slowly began to fade into each other into a more crystallized state, slightly beginning to expand beyond the boundaries of the Kokiri Forest. In a few more minutes it would be gone completely and only the experienced eye would notice the strong barrier shielding the Lost Woods from the rest of the world.

I did not turn around as I felt two overwhelming auras and a small one literally drop in on us. I had expected them back much earlier but something urgent must have delayed them since our calls went against mental shields only meant for times of harsh conflict. As in the middle of a battle. "Zelda," Saria whispered – at least I guessed it was her with the more mature, a little deeper voice, "is this for real?" I could clearly hear the disbelief in her voice and I could only nod numbly.

Clearly she must have been expecting to be needed for the task being fulfilled right now by the little girl that stroke somewhat of a resemblance to Saria's younger form. The hair was longer, flowing in waves down her back and the clothing was slightly edited in parts, black in color with a dark green skirt instead of leather shorts. "Who is that?" Link asked the obvious question that I would really like to be able to answer. Before I could say so myself though, I heard him gasp slightly. The rebuilding of the barrier was almost complete and the swirling of magic slowly fading. "Dalia," he asked with an edge anticipation in his voice. "Is that?" There was no answer but the breath that was sucked in told me an answer was given in the affirmative.

Curious about what was going on I turned my head slightly and nearly doubled over. I mean, I had been prepared for the changes but actually seeing them first hand was different. Saria was… stunningly beautiful. There was no better way to describe it. I always thought she had a natural beauty that expressed itself more as cuteness because of her immortal young body. But now, I saw what I ever feared slightly. Though I might have given up competing with her long ago, knowing how fruitless it was, a part of me always slightly hoped that I could somehow win Link's heart. Yet, with their already strong friendship and this looks… Also there was the little matter of the Soul Link that was clearly present to take in account. Nothing could tear them apart now and I felt myself softly sighing inwardly.

But what startled me the most about the new Saria was the unearthly glow around the edges of her aura. That was not the – even if quite powerful – Forest Sage we had known before her capture at the hands of Ganondorf. No, this one had a spark of heaven deeply imbedded into her soul and it was almost painful to look at without being blinded.

With visible effort I brought myself back to reality, noticing the strange looks the two mates and the fairy were exchanging. Before I could ask anything, however, Link suddenly broke into a sprint and without hesitation jumped down the ledge, rolled and raced towards where the girl was. "Wha…?" I managed quite intelligible. Saria pointed at the girl. No, at something hovering at the girl's side… Was that? It couldn't be, right? "That is Navi." Or maybe it was.

Quietly we descended down to the three. Link and Navi were having an obvious tearful reunion. Neither one of them seemed to say anything, Link had just scooped her up in both hands and both were smiling happily, not really caring about any questions or inquires that would surely follow. But not now though. Now they were just happy to see each other again after almost seven years. I looked over at Saria and saw her smiling as well, obviously happy for Link.

"See, I told you." Everyone's attention including the reunited pairs' was directed at the soft, childish voice that seemed to be to naturally calming to be anything normally human or Kokiri. As I studied her, standing there as if not the slightest bit nervous about the attention directed her way, I could not help compare her to Saria. What I had seen in her aura was clearly the essence of one of the Goddess or at least a part of it – and it took no genius to figure out which one. The small child though… The little I could see made me reconsider ever trying to judge her aura again. The purity was startling and frightening at the same time. I had no idea who or what she was but there was no doubt that she was vastly more powerful than anyone present at the moment. And that was not easily to be achieved.

"Who are you?" Saria asked at last after her gaze had locked with that of the child for a small eternity. The child cooked her head curiously and looked up at the Forest Sage thoughtfully, as if seriously contemplating the question. Finally she smiled broadly and with an ease as if the question was a silly one, she answered: "Oh. I just happened to be in the area, then I met your fairy friend there. But actually I was looking for my parents." I raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Really? Who are they?" The child grinned and bounced over to Saria. Taking her hand she dragged the startled Sage over to where Link was standing, Navi now perched on his left shoulder. She took Link's hand as well and proceeded to stand between them.

For a moment nobody said anything, then the implications the girl was making slowly began to sink in. It didn't really help to lift the silence spell though, as all of us stared at the giggling child and boggling at the information. Link and Saria were too occupied with alternately looking at each other and down at the child to voice their opinion.

TBC in Part Four

Who is this mysterious child implying to be the daughter of our merry couple? And what is Navi's story after she had finally returned home? Be there again when we make a small detour down memory line and some startling revelations.

Author's Notes

I am truly sorry for matter-of-factly neglecting this. I had Part 3 literally written except the very last scene and then got distracted again and again with other works. Really I must apologize to all the readers who like this because there really was no point in finishing this last page except laziness… Hehe… *puts hand behind head*

I have not that much too say about this chapter actually. I think all of you can guess already about the real identity of the child. What is up with Romani casting Light Arrow will be revealed… later. As in much later. But you'll probably see more of her.

The Soul Link concept is something regular readers are probably used to in my stories by now. I just kind of have to think of new names for all the different fics… That bears no much further explanation, I guess. What exactly the bond is capable of will be dealt with in future chapters.

I dropped a few more hints about what is going on between Ruto and Darunia. Have it figured out already?

Again, I'm sorry for inconvenience. I really wanted to have this finished a long time ago. I have someone to beta by now but don't know when Ayrki gets to this story since it has a rather low priority at the moment. For now this is an alpha version, so don't be too hard on me on typing/grammar mistakes that I didn't catch.

Feedback is always welcome and very much wanted.

Ja ne, yours

Matthias