Breath of Life

By DarkBlacknoid

Author's Note: Same thing as last, I don't own the Legend of Zelda characters only my own feeble attempts at good story creations : ). But anyway, enjoy the story. Dedicated to those who have a dream.

Chapter Two:

Man Hunt

Nabooru's eyes popped open. She had fallen asleep! Stupid, stupid, stupid! Like lightning in the desert storm, she turned around where she had left the man. To her dismay, he was gone. Instinctively, Nabooru checked her pockets to see if he had stolen anything but found nothing missing. The pillow and blanket were lying neatly on the floor where he should have been and nothing was out of place except that he was gone.

Now on her feet, Nabooru made her way to the entrance and looked about quickly. The west wind was blowing harder now and her hair whipped about her face wildly. Growling at herself, she ran out into the sand. Maybe he went sneaking around and found the Great Fairy's Fountain. She ran by the entrance to the Fountain and peered in. It was quiet as a tomb. She cursed at herself shivering in the cool wind and then turning around. Across the way, where the small pool lay, she saw the man sitting on the rock near it. Catching her breath, Nabooru hastened towards him as quietly as she could. His back was turned to her so she could not tell exactly what he was doing but at this point, it did not matter.

She was coming to the large sandstone butte when Nabooru saw him turn his head as if he heard something. Dashing behind the rock out of his sight, Nabooru waited a moment. When she thought it had been long enough, her head of red hair peeked around the side. What Nabooru did not expect was that the dark man had moved and was waiting for her to look out. Nabooru gasped stepping back several paces then putting her hands up defensively.

"Back away! I will hurt you worse than the last person you met up with!" The dark man put his hands up gesturing peace.

"It's alright. I do not want to hurt you. I had just heard something." Still keeping a safe distance between her and the dark man, Nabooru narrowed her eyes at him and gave him a better look. His shirt was open and more torn up than she remembered and that's when she noticed some crude bloody bandages covering his abdomen and ribs. They looked fresh. He had had more than one injury, it appeared. But who and why would do this? And did he deserve it? Nabooru clenched her teeth. She would bet her whole life's work that he did deserve it. "I'm sorry that I frightened you." He said, with one hand held lightly on his side. Nabooru did not even give him a chance.

"I was not frightened." She hissed at him, still not coming any closer. "I was only startled. And don't say you're sorry. You're not sorry. What do you want? Who are you?" The man blinked his dark brown eyes at her calmly not seeming to understand her hostility. She had to notice he had dark eyes, not like a Gerudo. They seemed to hide a lot of memory behind them.

"You've misunderstood me then. I am sorry and I'm also very grateful. I assume you were the one that bandaged my leg. My name really is of no consequence but you'd probably like to call me something. I am Kiad'Eron…but you can call me Eron." As he said this, he turned from Nabooru walking back to the pool. This surprised Nabooru. It showed that he was not afraid of her. Well, he should be, she thought. He does not know that he is dealing with a Sage! She stepped up behind him to cut in front to stop him. She planted her feet and put her hands on her hips.

"So then, Eron, where did you come from? Why were you in my Temple? What did you want there? I did not excuse you yet." Eron did not look surprised. His gaze was only respectful and patient.

"I came from the west. I had traveled a long way and I was weary. When I saw this monument, I thought it would be a good place to rest. Though, I didn't exactly plan on being ambushed by a flying pot. I suppose I got all the rest my body needed." Eron smiled warmly. It seemed to be the only thing warm about him.

Nabooru had to give him credit. If he was sincere, than she was being very rude and she should give him the benefit of the doubt. But if he was trying to fool her, he was doing a very good job of going about it. He did not look like he felt threatened. She did not even sense the slightest bit of tension except coming from herself. But wait, he still had not answered her last question. "You're still hiding something. You won't answer what you wanted in my Temple."

Eron stood silent a moment still with a half-amused grin on his tattooed face. She could not tell if he was being smug or just polite. "I wanted rest. I'm afraid I didn't know it belonged to you. I saw no one outside so I went inside. I was hoping to find someone there but well…you had a few interesting guards."

"Okay then, maybe I'm asking the wrong question…why did you come out here?"

"Wait." Eron let out a breath looking up at the sun. "Let us sit at the pool and relax. I hope by now that you at least know I am not here to harm or rob. If I wanted to do something I would have done it when you were asleep." Nabooru exhaled sharply letting her eyes drop slightly as she thought on this. It was true. Nothing was missing and she seemed to be in one piece. She was quick to fix her eyes on him again but this time letting her arms hang down by her sides.

"Alright. It is hot. But you're not off the hook, Mister West Man." She stepped beside him and they walked together to the pool. He limped slightly but he never complained. She wondered about the wounds on his chest and thought he must have been in a nasty fight. But when? And where? They reached the pool and Eron stopped waiting to see what she would do first. Nabooru noticed and stubbornly stopped too. Eron figured she still was a bit testy so he sat down by the water close to the rock he had been sitting on earlier. Nabooru proceeded to sit on the rock. She did not want to be on his level quite yet. She opened her mouth to restart her questioning when he spoke first.

"I have a question." Nabooru looked at him with her half-opened mouth. Eron smiled. "What's your name? You know mine, but I know not yet what to call you. I know that you are a Gerudo and that I'm close to Hyrule…" The Spirit Sage closed her mouth and gave him a quick glare but it had a curious glint. He may have just revealed his true destination. Though she was surprised that he knew that she was a Gerudo. Did the people in the West know a lot about them?

"I'm Nabooru and yes, I am a Gerudo. Hyrule is still quite far away but it is our neighbor. How did you know about the Gerudos?" Eron reached over cupping his hands in the water and splashed some water over his face inhaling deeply sounding like water on a fire.

"I've heard about the Gerudos back in Gershma. That's the city at the edge of the desert. It's quite the hub of species. Many markets, businesses, and social events to be seen there. You see all kinds of people there. There are even some that look like you, but they do not claim to be Gerudos. Perhaps they are just cousins. That's where I heard about the Gerudo thieves from across the desert by the land of Hyrule. They say, 'Female they are. Rare do you see men. All with red hair and shining eyes with skin matching the sands of the Wastelands.'" Stopping his story, Eron looked up at Nabooru. "You do fit the description, Nabooru. But that is where I heard about the Gerudos." Nabooru sat silently intrigued by all of this. Where there other Gerudos out there? And maybe if not Gerudos but cousins like Eron said.

"Why would you want to leave such a place? It seems you almost got killed coming out here." She looked at him confused, but caution still remained her best defense. She did not want to tell him too much.

"Oh, Gershma was not my home. I had only been staying there for a little while. I am a wanderer. When I go somewhere I like to study it and get to know the kinds of people in it. That's when I heard about Hyrule. There were some immigrants and refugees that had come to Gershma over a ten-year period claiming to have come from a place called Hyrule. They said evil things and an evil king had overrun it. So then I decided to come and see if I could help." He turned his head and looked at her squinting his eyes from the bright sun. "So now you know why I have come. Someone mentioned a Princess Zelda being the ruler…do you know her?" Nabooru had listened intently very curious by this stranger from across the desert. She had relaxed somewhat, but there was still a lot she did not know about him.

"Do I know Princess Zelda…of course I do. There's not a person in Hyrule who doesn't know their Princess. We're all helping to rebuild Hyrule Castle where she used to live." Eron seemed interested in this news but he tried not to show it.

"Well, I wasn't sure what you would know. The Gerudos like to think of themselves as a separate nation, do they not?" It was an innocent question, and Nabooru knew that but she still could not help but stiffen her lip.

"Just because we haven't always gotten involved with everyone else doesn't mean we're stupid." Eron noticed he touched a nerve and looked down.

"Sorry. I didn't mean anything by it." Nabooru sighed crossing her legs and leaning back on the rock. She watched Eron's brown hair blow in the wind and his smooth quiet movements. Though she had treated him rudely, he was still quite pleasant. She still thought he looked kind of like a Gerudo.

"Where do you really come from?" She asked him.

"Far, far away from here. Farther than anyone can imagine." His voice was longing and sad as he stared out over the desert.

"This far, far away place doesn't have a name?" She wanted to prod.

"It's had many names and many rulers since I left it. I no longer know what it's called. You wouldn't know its name anyway." This seemed strange to Nabooru. Wherever he had lived it must have been a long time ago the way he talked. But still she was curious and she wanted more than that. "Have you noticed you look kind of like a Gerudo?" Eron turned towards her with a little effort and smiled a bit.

"No. Do you think I do?"

"Yes. You have dark skin like we do. Like you've spent many days in the desert…and you have small ears. Hylians have those horrid, long pointy ears."

"But other than that I really don't seem like a Gerudo, do I?" He knew he had her there by seeing her somewhat disappointed look.

"Well, no…"

"I am not a Gerudo."

"I bet you could pass as one though if people didn't know better." Eron gave Nabooru a quick weary look.

"It's getting late," he finally said. "You must have something better to do than chat with a worthless bum like me. I should try moving on. I'd like to meet this Princess Zelda and offer my help with this project of rebuilding." A grin passed his face as he stood with a little grunt. Nabooru stood up with him quickly.

"You mean leave now?" She asked.

"Yes. I'm anxious to be on my way."

"But you shouldn't leave…not like this. You can barely walk and besides without a guide, you'd never make it across the rest of the desert. The day is halfway over and it's not safe to travel at night." Eron hesitated and looked at Nabooru.

"Does that mean you'd trust me another night?" She grinned at him.

"This doesn't mean I trust you but I can handle you. It's you who doesn't know who you're dealing with." With that, the Gerudo began walking back to the Spirit Temple with Eron limping behind. The conversation was indeed interesting. Were there truly other Gerudo out there? Or maybe just some distant cousins? If so then maybe there was still hope for her people to continue their way of life.

Going up the steps and waiting for Eron, Nabooru watched him. She almost pitied him. He did not seem dangerous in the least. He probably could not even fight. Looking at his weak form, she almost wished she had a red potion stashed somewhere. Maybe that would have livened him up a little bit and it certainly would have made him feel better. It'd also make him more presentable. And the Great Fairy was off limits.

Chatting about Zelda and Hyrule made Nabooru remember her duties. She left them yesterday without warning. Ryut and the other girls will start to wonder about her if she does not go back soon. She sighed long. Going back to the harassment and stress at this point was not very desirable. Eron would probably have a hard time fitting in as well. He would have no where to stay. She thought a moment. Maybe she could help him by introducing him to Link. Link was always glad to help anyone. Nabooru would let Eron decide when they got there. In the mean time, she thought, she was going to enjoy this last night at the Spirit Temple. It would be some time before she could come again. She smiled a bit mischievously and turned to Eron.

"You know…I have to be getting back to Hyrule myself so I'll take you there in the morning but take it from me…just because Ganondorf is gone doesn't mean there still aren't challenges with peace. It will be tough fitting in with the Hylians. That's why I was up here…I wanted to get away from all that for awhile."

"You must have been gone awhile then."

"Well…I am missed, I know that. But they can wait another day. But right now…I don't want to think about the Hylians or Gerudos or Hyrule at all." Eron nodded to her then suddenly she ran off up the stairs through a doorway. He was not sure what she was doing but he sat down on the floor making sure not to touch the pillow and blanket he had awoken in earlier that morning. Soon, Nabooru showed up again and had something in her hand. She lifted it up for him to see. It appeared to be bottle with something in it. "This," Nabooru pointed at it smiling and coming down the steps. "This is how I will forget everything tonight. I found it in this old man's pack one day in Castle Town so I took it for a special occasion. I'd say this is a special occasion." She took off the peg and drank a mouthful making a wretched face. "Oh, yeah…that's good. Here, let your worries of tomorrow float away for awhile." When Nabooru offered Eron the bottle, she suddenly noticed he was not amused. He stood up taking the flask looking her in the eye.

"We do not drink." Each word was pointed as a knife and with a sudden motion, he threw the bottle, breaking into pieces against the stone wall. The liquor spilled over the stones soaking in while Nabooru stood astonished.

"Well, you're no fun." She crossed her arms sitting on the floor looking out the door. It was starting to get dark. Seeing that, she took one of the torches and revived the fire. Eron sat down again not looking at her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to act so hastily." He tried to apologize.

"Were you a drunkard?" She shot at him.

"No, but I have been drunk before. It was the first and last time. You shouldn't waste your precious time under the influence." Nabooru sighed lying down on her back. This man was like no man she had ever come across before. Why was he being so polite to her? For Nayru's sake, he won't even let her get drunk! None of the Hylians were like this and from what she could remember, nor were Gerudo men.

She felt something nudge her. Looking over, Eron was handing her the pillow and blanket. "I have more you know," she said.

"I do not need them." Nabooru just sighed and took them. She laid the blanket underneath her and propped up her head with the pillow. She began to feel sleepy. Thinking about the next day and explaining herself to everyone was not helping. Sleep was not something she wanted though. She still did not trust Eron enough to fall asleep while he was still awake.

Forcing her head up, Nabooru arched her neck to see Eron's back against a step with his eyes closed. He was breathing slow and regular. He must be asleep now. That made her relax enough to lay her head back down. Soon, sleep came over her.

As soon as he heard the snoring, Eron's eyes opened smoothly. He truly had never gone to sleep for that would have been a disaster. He hardly slept anymore if he could help it. Nabooru had been very kind to him and generous, but he feared he should be on his way. He did not want to endanger her. Less time away from him, was good time. He silently got to his feet checking Nabooru one last time. She was very much asleep. Eron sighed looking at her. He hated leaving under these conditions, but it had to be done. He whispered quietly. "No more lives need to suffer…no more."

Kiad'Eron pinned his cloak tighter around his neck and headed east. Nabooru did not realize, but he knew much about the land of Hyrule and where it lay. He would find a safe route there. This was the easy part of his goal. He just had to speak with Princess Zelda. He learned recently that she was some kind of Sage and that meant something to him. Reaching inside his pocket, Eron grasped an inlaid white jewel in his hand. It seemed to give him strength as he lengthened his stride. He had no time to loose.

* * * *

Impa awoke with a start. Sweat trickled down her brow and her heart was beating fast. She had just had a disturbing dream. Swinging her legs out of bed, Impa tied her hair up in a ponytail like usual and put on her Sheikah clothing.

In the starlight, she slipped through the shadows like the true Sage of Shadow making her way out of Kakariko Village. She ran silently through the fields and across the bridge. The Gorons in Hyrule Field did not even notice her as she passed through and came to the gate. It was left open at night all the time now so she went in with no problem still keeping in the shadows. It was more of a habit then for any concern. Soon she was at Link and Zelda's complex and she slithered through the door without a sound. Link was snoring on his back with an arm hanging off his bed. She hated to wake him, but this was important. Something caught her attention as she drew closer to him. The Triforce of Courage shone like a distant star on his hand. Up above them, Impa heard the creak of a door on its rusty hinges and light feet coming down the stairs. Zelda appeared at the bottom and looked up to see Impa. She jumped back in surprise.

"Impa! Oh, you scared me." At the sound of her voice, Link bolted up from his slumber.

"Don't worry, Zelda! I'm here!" Link, only half-awake, patted desperately at his back looking for his sword but it wasn't there. Zelda could not help laughing a bit.

"Link, it's me, Impa," the Shadow Sage said it quietly as Zelda shook his shoulder softly trying to wake him up more. He blinked and got a hold of himself grinning sheepishly in the dark. Zelda lit a candle putting it on a nearby table. She sat next to Link as Impa squatted in front of them. Link was feeling a little puzzled being ripped from his sleep in the middle of the night.

"So…what's going on?" He managed to ask. Zelda looked at Impa directly.

"You had a dream too, didn't you?" Impa nodded slowly.

"It was different than the one you told to me…but it had the same feeling. And when I came in, I saw Link's Triforce glow. Did yours glow too?"

"Yes…it woke me up. I was sleeping rather nicely until this bright light suddenly shined against my eyes and I found it was my Triforce piece." Link was wide-awake now even though his body still felt tired. News of this dream again, was not good.

"What happened in your dream Impa?" He asked. The lean Sheikah woman sighed a bit and stood up so that she could pace a little.

"I've never had a dream like this before. I saw the borders of Hyrule…off to the west where Gerudo Valley is but everything was dark and ruined as far as I could see. I could barely make out anything in this darkness. Then suddenly it began to rain…softly at first but then it was a torrent. A great crying came about like thunder…it almost seemed as if someone was crying…crying over the land of Hyrule for it was wasted and in the dark. Sometimes I thought I could hear words through the sobs…something like, 'Oh, Hyrule…Nayru's gem…why…death has come. Why can I not stop the fire?' I've never felt such an overwhelming sadness before and what was strange…I felt something else…"

"What was that?" Zelda asked in a hush.

"I felt an awful lot of guilt…as if this person who was crying for Hyrule was responsible for it's ruination." Link sighed and stretched his arms trying to wake his body up to be awake with his mind.

"It seems like now…something is happening…or is going to happen. I don't think it's a coincidence that you had this dream too, Impa. Whoever this is, has some kind of darkness with them…a shadow on their soul…maybe you might be able to sense this, Impa?"

"I don't know," her brow furrowed. "There's no telling really what these dreams mean."

"You know…in your dreams, so far fire, water and shadow seem to be implied…maybe it has something to do with you, Darunia and Ruto?" Link wondered aloud. Zelda had been quietly contemplating Impa's dream until she spoke up finally.

"I think we should alert the other Sages so if something is happening we should be ready for it. Maybe the others will have some fresh ideas." Both Link and Impa agreed to that. They could not make any more sense of the dreams and the terrible images they spoke of. None of them felt like sleeping anymore, so they walked out to the wall to look upon Hyrule Field. Impa then turned to them.

"I am going to visit the Shadow Temple and graveyard. If whatever our dreams mean has something to do with shadow…I might be able to find something out there by talking with the shadows. I will be back soon." When she finished, the last Sheikah disappeared into the last shadows before dawn. Link gazed quietly out to the west. There were some clouds on the horizon with the rising sun.

"There's a storm coming," he said in a whisper. Next to him, Zelda had strayed a few steps in the direction of the upcoming storm. Her hands were clamped together in front of her with a worried look on her features.

"Yes…a storm is coming." She turned back to Link as the Gorons started waking in the Field. "Link, do you think he can handle the overseeing for a little while without me?"

"I'm sure I could…where are you going?"

"I want to revisit Rauru in the Temple of Time and let him know about this." Link nodded as Zelda walked briskly back into Castle Town.

* * * *

Since awakening as a Sage, Saria had been granted the honor of leaving Kokiri Forest by the Deku Sprout. She thanked him greatly for the gift since now she could go and see her friends whenever she wished. Talking to Link and Zelda over long distances was not always satisfying.

In the fresh morning light, Saria's small child-like form ran swiftly up the trail that led to the walls of Hyrule Castle. Her forest colored hair flew back behind her as she breathed in the deep air. Her fairy, Zavo kept up with her with his rapidly beating wings.

"Oh, I'm a little late today, Zavo!" She called to him with a giggle. "Surely, we're not the only ones that slept in later today!" She was almost up the hill when Zavo halted suddenly.

"Hey!" He called sounding kind of desperate. "Saria, wait!" Stopping, Saria walked back to him.

"What is it?" She asked with a worried look.

"Can't you smell that?" Zavo coughed slightly hovering in the air making not a sound. Saria stood still with her senses alerted. The slight breeze brushed over her and she closed her eyes. Suddenly, to her surprise, a scent filled her nose and lungs choking them and she coughed roughly. Opening her eyes in a flash, all around was fire. It engulfed the Field. Horrified, Saria backed up and desperately looked back towards Kokiri Forest expecting it to be safe but it was up in flames! She tried to cry out but the smoke choked it and made her stumble onto her knees. Her eyes watered and the heat was intense. It was all around her ready to claim her in its disastrous heat. She huddled there, not knowing what to do. A feeling of helplessness drowned her. The flames in front of her came closer and they laughed at her. Hovering above the cruel blaze, Saria's eyes witnessed a great figure of a woman made entirely of fire. She seemed to control the burning on the ground and she laughed at her too. She raised a long, fiery finger at Saria.

"Burn her! None shall be spared," the Fire woman cried in a hoarse and deathly voice. At her command, the fire jumped forward at Saria's cowering form and she screamed.

"Saria!" Zavo tugged and poked at Saria's violently shaking form sprawled in the grass. "Saria! What's wrong? Are you okay?" He kept calling, trying to get her out of this frightening state. After a few minutes, Saria finally opened her eyes and carefully looked around still scared to death.

"Oh, Zavo…what…what was that?" She stuttered with a tear rolling down her cheek.

"What was what? All of a sudden you got real scared and were screaming. I could barely get you to come out of it!" Zavo flew up in front of her face reaching out to her with a reassuring hug on her nose. "What happened?" He asked as she got in a sitting position.

"I think…I think I just had a vision or some sort. Oh, it was terrible…! Everything was burning…Kokiri Forest was on fire! And there was someone there…a person clothed in pure fire and it commanded the fires eating up Hyrule and Kokiri Forest! Then it pointed at me…to kill me! And it said that no one would be spared!" She covered her face with her hands. "I've never been so terrified in my life…not even Ganondorf could have scared me that much!" Zavo fluttered nervously, listening to her terrifying experience.

"We should go talk to the Deku Sprout! He might know something about this!" He said, as he flitted back towards Kokiri Forest. "Come on!" Saria nodded wearily getting to her feet and running after Zavo.

* * * *

"Another waking, another day full of jeers," Ryut sighed mumbling to herself as she led her people out to Hyrule Castle. So far, none of the Hylians had said anything to them but she could see them whispering to each other. It was probably about Nabooru's disappearing act yesterday. They were probably just itching to find a reason to complain to Link and Zelda to attempt to get rid of them. She did not even want to look at them, so she watched the ground as it went by under her feet. One of the girls behind Ryut gave her a hard nudge.

"Look!" She said, and to Ryut's relief, she saw an orange glow streaking over the sky coming from the west. It could only be Nabooru! She broke into a run as the orange radiance landed near the Castle and revealed a very angry looking Sage. When Ryut and the other Gerudos arrived, Nabooru was already locked in a conversation with Link.

"I just had to get away for a couple of days…c'mon you know me Link! I wouldn't ever leave you hanging!" Nabooru's yellow eyes flashed like the mid-day sun while Link gave her a grave look.

"Nabooru!" A chorus of her name came from the Gerudos as some hugged her. Ryut was one of them.

"We knew you would come back," Ryut stated with a proud smile.

"We were worried about you though," Link put in. "Whenever you need some time away, please let us know next time," his voice lowered as he stepped closer to Nabooru. "Besides that, something has come up, but I'll tell you about it later when Zelda comes back from meeting with Rauru." Nabooru raised her brow.

"Oh, that serious huh?" Link walked into Castle Town with Nabooru, her Gerudos and the Hylians following. The Gorons had already gone ahead and he asked Darunia to be in charge while he checked to see if Nabooru was around.

"Yes. It's that serious." Nabooru stopped and put her hands on her hips.

"You can't leave me in the dark, Link…what is it? It isn't about…someone is it?" Her thought went back to Eron. He had left her secretly sometime last night and she knew she where he was going.

Link stopped and looked at her skeptically. "Have you had some kind of dream too?"

"Uh…dream? I haven't had a dream. What are you talking about?"

"I don't know for sure, what were you talking about?" Nabooru shifted a bit uneasily under Link's gaze. She had slipped but why should she feel like not telling him about her encounter with Eron?

"Well, I had met a wanderer and I thought maybe you were talking about him but I really couldn't see how since he's never been here before. He wouldn't be here yet with him going on foot." Link stared at her, interested now.

"Who was it?"

"I don't know for sure. But he said he was coming here to talk with Zelda. I guess he could talk to you too really since you're the Steward now…but he wanted to help us with the Rebuilding because he had heard about what happened here where he was staying last."

"Then where is he?"

"Well…I still figure he's on his way here…but for some reason last night he left without me. I offered to bring him here but I guess he had other ideas." She huffed with an annoyed look.

"Where did he come from?" Link pushed.

"He said from a city across the desert in the west. Though he claimed it wasn't his home but only a stop along the way."

"From the west?" Link's eyes widened as he began to wonder. He got goosebumps and looked up to see the sun being blotted out by the rain clouds and a clap of thunder spilled into their ears. Nabooru followed his gaze and suddenly felt scared for Eron. Hopefully he could handle rain better than possessed pottery, she thought.

Link took in a breath when the rain started to fall. "I think we should be on the look out for this person you met, Nabooru. Come with me quickly! You have to tell me what you know about him. The Castle will have to wait today, I'm afraid." Nabooru swallowed. Even though she came in a furious rage because Eron had disappeared again and she wanted to beat him here, she felt like she was betraying him somehow. Something didn't feel right about the whole thing but she could not refuse Link. He surely had a good reason for being suspicious about Eron and she would find out. Turning to her patient friends, Nabooru gave Ryut a pat on her wet shoulder.

"Sorry, girls. It seems I've ruined another day of work for everyone. But don't worry, I'll be back soon after I tell Link what happened then I will tell you…" She paused and whispered to them. "This man from the west…he kind of looks like a Gerudo!" Nabooru grinned as the girls all whispered in surprise and giggled. "You may do what you wish but make sure to keep in groups. We don't want any incidents." They nodded and Nabooru turned to Link. He was now at the gate again talking with Princess Ruto, who had just arrived with the Zoras. They had serious expressions on their faces. The Sage of Spirit approached them with a curious look.

"I think we should be looking for this man Nabooru met. He hasn't done anything serious so he doesn't have to be treated like a prisoner…but I stress caution. We don't know who he really is or what he really wants so it would be better safe than sorry." Link said as Ruto watched him thoughtfully.

"I can have the Zoras go up and down Zora's River and Lake Hylia. And if Nabooru gives us permission, they can search the Gerudo Falls as well." Nabooru nodded to Princess Ruto meaning to give her permission as Link continued.

"I'll have some of the Gorons and Hylians watch out in the Field too and the Kokiri in the Forest…" he trailed off in thought. "That reminds me, Saria's not here yet. I wonder where she is." Ruto and Nabooru shrugged not knowing. "Alright then…I'm going to Kokiri Forest. Nabooru, Ruto…when Zelda comes back tell her what I'm doing and what's going on and let everyone else know about the stranger and what he looks like. I'll be back as soon as I can. Epona's swift, I shouldn't be long. And keep on the look out for Impa, she should be returning soon." Link headed off into the field and whipped out the ocarina Saria had given him since he gave the ocarina of Time back to Zelda. He quickly played Epona's Song and his brave stallion came to him from the Field. Nabooru and Ruto watched silently as Link rode off towards Kokiri Forest with the rain starting to swirl in the wind.

Before long Nabooru told Ruto Eron's description and name and the Zora Princess then went off to inform her people of the plan and reason. The Zoras departed, a group was going to watch Zora's River, another to Lake Hylia and the last to watch the Gerudo Falls. Nabooru, however, gave them a letter of permission just in case any of the Gerudos left back at home questioned their presence. Darunia and some of the Gorons were to watch the Field in various places just in case the Zora did not find him.

Soon, Nabooru was left standing alone in the wetness but she did not stay idle for long. She entered Castle Town and rounded up her Gerudos.

"Listen up, sisters! I need you all to do something for me." They all leaned in on a huddle listening to Nabooru's story and plan. After a little chatter, Ryut, Nabooru and two other girls headed out. The others were left behind to watch over things until the small party got back. Before going too far, Nabooru stopped at Darunia, who was watching out in the Field a little ways from the walls. She told him she and the other girls were going to help in the search for Eron but first they were going to alert Talon and Malon up at Lon Lon Ranch. After that, they swiftly made their way up the path to Lon Lon Ranch.

"Do you really think they'll forgive us for this?" One of the other younger girls with short Gerudo hair that used to be a cow herder looked anxiously at Nabooru. Her name was Taunooru.

"Of course they will! This is for a good cause for a change!" Nabooru smiled a bit as the four of them entered the Ranch. They bypassed the house and barn and headed straight for the corral. A tall skinny man was out there tending the horses. A few new colts ran along side their mothers in the pin. Nabooru saw the man look up and see them approach. He looked at the Gerudos suspiciously.

"Hello there! I am Nabooru, Sage of Spirit and we have come seeking your help." The Sage bowed to him curtly.

"My help? Why would I help you?" The one that was tall and hairy was named Ingo, she remembered. Nabooru instantly decided she did not like him.

"Because we need it. It's for Link. He needs us to go on a mission and speed is desired. It would be helpful if we could borrow some of your horses--"

"Our horses aren't for Gerudos!" Ingo shouted at her, cutting her short. Nabooru's eyes narrowed and she could feel the tension from her friends listening beside her. Nabooru had had it with these haughty Hylians. She nodded to Ryut and the three Gerudos surrounded Ingo.

"Well…then…you'll just have to stop us!" Nabooru raced past Ingo and hopped on the nearest stallion. It was surprised and reared at first but she whispered a few calming words and it relaxed. Ryut, Taunooru and Kotare dragged a fuming Ingo to the posts of the corral and tied him to it. He cursed and yelled while the girls found horses of their own. With loud whooping, the four Gerudos rode through the corral and towards the opening. As she sped by on her newly acquired horse, Nabooru caught a glimpse of Malon and Talon coming from the barn. Surprise lit up their faces and Talon vainly tried to get them to stop. But they were already out onto the Field. The rain slapped their faces but they went on. Since Nabooru had a pretty good idea where she might be able to find Eron treading, she would be the most likely to find him. She felt she owed him a peaceful visit to Hyrule instead of so much trouble over a silly dream Zelda had that probably had nothing to do with him. Nabooru was determined to find him first so she headed northwest towards their home, Gerudo Valley. The Gerudo Sage only hoped Eron was smart enough to avoid the Gerudos or surely he would not be all right.

* So that's chapter two. Maybe not as interesting but the tension is building! Next chapter, Eron is found…but by whom? Will Nabooru find him first or someone else? And when he is found, will he really have anything to do with the Sages' dreams? If you're interested, keep reading! : ) *