AN: Not much to say really, except thank you to Cassidy Dell for reviewing! And the nice e-mails you send me back.

Chapter Thirteen: You Are What You Are

                        She started to stir when the sun was rising along the Field. Blinking, she could feel the aches of riding though she did not realize until now that she was on a horse. Her lower back throbbed and complained and there was the rude irritation of straddling a saddle against her thighs. Then there was a strong, warm chest against her and able, protective arms around her waist. She jerked her head upward and behind to see who held her and was greeted by the same, sweet face that she had first encountered in that small cabin in Kokiri woods.

He grinned at her as he stopped the horse, a crooked but lovely grin joined with flaxen hair falling in front of a pair of striking, earth-red eyes. Indeed Loraefin found awaking in such a way, to a beautiful face and wrapped in warmth, most unexpected and pleasant. Then she remembered where she was and where she was heading. She remembered what she was. She was no longer Loraefin, a sister, a daughter, Rae Lawen, a Gerudo maid, a child of two races…she was marked for death.

            "Orion, she's awake," her young man said and the other stopped his horse as well.

            "I'm glad to see it," the other furrowed his brows.

            "How are you feeling?" asked her young man and Loraefin could only stare at him a few moments, her head still swimming from whatever had put her out so long.

            "I--I'm fine," her voice was shaking. "I didn't---didn't remember that we had planned this…my mine is so foggy. But I'm starting to remember…slowly," she hissed and gripped her head as nausea ran over her. The young man dismounted and slid her off Vandac with ease. Loraefin could feel the strength in his hands as he held her waist. She was no little slip of a thing, full body and a lot of hip, not like what he was probably used to, but he smiled again and supported her on her weak legs with his steady arms and calm, reassuring voice. She could not help but fall in love with him for his kindness, when all else in the world for her had been snatched away.

            "You are over exhausted, here Ciaràn let her sit down until the spell is over."

                        When she had come back to herself again she managed to get down some bread and water with little difficulty. The two men conversed quietly in a tongue she did not understand and she did not care. She remembered her meeting with Orion three days before and remembered arranging this escort. She had doubted her ability to just walk away from her life; fear did that. She knew that he would have to come and take her, and quickly before that fear could grip her. Then everything after that was blurry, and until waking up in the arms of Ciaràn she did not recollect any of it. Orion had done something to her and she was not sure whether to feel violated or thankful.

            "Are you feeling better, Loraefin?" Ciaràn asked with a natural sweetness that he was not aware he had. Had her mind not been dark and confused, Loraefin might have told him she loved him, but instead only nodded, gulping hard.

            "It's strange, to hear my name…I don't feel like me anymore." Loraefin's voice was hollow and morose and she poked restlessly at the ground with a stick she had found. "I---I'm not sure I want you to call me by name anymore. I'm no longer she, and hearing it brings up emotions that I don't want to feel. If I'm gone from this life, let me leave what I can behind me now…to make the rest easier."

Both men nodded, honoring her decision. Ciaràn set her in the saddle in front of him again and held the reins on either side of her, walling her in with his arms. Sitting with him she felt protected, and closing her eyes she recalled who he reminded her of. He reminded her of Link. Perhaps that was the reason she felt so comfortable with him, perhaps that was why…No. No old feelings, no memories, Link could be nothing more than the Hero of Time to her now. There was no friendship, there was no bond, and there would never be a chance for her to tell him how much she appreciated and admired him.

How thankful she was for him.

They both had roles to play to fulfill the Goddesses Will and she was no more than one life given in Their service. 

            Their path steered northeast across the Field and the cool breeze hit Loraefin's face with a calming caress. Leaning back she settled in against Ciaràn and closed her eyes, letting the wind play on her. It ruffled through the light cloth of her nightwear and through her hair until she realized that her unkempt locks might be accosting her ride and she gathered it in her hands.

"Sorry," she said apologetically. "I hope it wasn't bothering you."

"Not at all," he replied with an easy smile, shifting his weight to retrieve something out of a saddlebag. He handed her a coat, his coat she realized, and she took it.

"In case you get cold…you don't have much on," his features had fallen again as she whispered a thank you. Being well dressed was not on Loraefin's mind when she was not meant to live anymore. Instead of turning back around after slipping it on, she instead began to analyze his face. Ciaràn squirmed under her steadfast gaze and tried to concentrate instead on directing Vandac. He never liked it when people stared at his scar and for a moment he wished he still had his scarf to hide behind.

"You have a very beautiful face," she said at last, catching him totally off his guard. A Sheikah warrior he may have been, but a young man also nonetheless, and he could feel his cheeks flushing with color. Loraefin saw his bewildered expression and smiled just a little.

"Uh…thank you," trying to compose himself again Ciaràn ran a hand through his hair.

"You're welcome." She said and turned back around, settling against him again with her head angled to the left of his.

            Ciaràn, Sheik, stared at her out of the corner of his eye, not knowing what to make of her. It was then that a connection created itself in his mind, linking her and one other together. In a way, this young woman seated within his arms reminded him of his heart, Princess Zelda. Of course their looks differed greatly, while Zelda was tall, slender, and fair, the picture of beauty, and she a mix of two races, they both had the same courage and strength that pierced through all obstacles.

            Once this connection was formed, Sheik could not get it away, and without realizing it his grip wrapped a little tighter around her. And so they rode this way, both reminded of those who were dear to them, and the road became a little more bearable.